Meet the Team | Binar Sports

BOARD & STAFF

ADAM DESMOND

Founder & Executive Director

Adam founded Binar in 2011 and has acted as Executive Director ever since. He has overseen key operations and initiatives and has been a major driver of the organisation’s success to date. As owner and operator of a drycleaning business Adam has been active for many years in the Midland business community

ANDREW VLAHOV

Chair

Andrew’s professional basketball career with the Perth Wildcats encompassed 11 years and three championships. He is a four-time Olympian and a recipient of the Order of Australia Medal. At Binar, he has a discovered a space where he can engage with his dual passions for basketball and social justice

ERNIE DINGO

Board Member & Ambassador

Ernie is an Indigenous Australian actor, television presenter, comedian, teacher and promoter originating from the Yamatji people of the Murchison region of Western Australia. He is a designated Australian National Living Treasure. He collaborated with Richard Walley to create the first public performance of the "Welcome to Country" ceremony in Perth in 1976. He has been an ambassador for Binar for a number of years.

LENNY
PAPERTALK

Board Member & Treasurer

Lennelle is a Noongar Yamatji woman who is a Research Assistant at WA Centre for Rural Health with a Masters in Social Work. She has been collaborating with Binar in the Midwest region for several years. Lenny was the Chairperson of Geraldton Sporting Aboriginal Corporation for 15 years and heavily involved in grass roots regional sporting communities through umpiring, coaching, volunteering, committee roles and playing. She is passionate about developing culturally safe social and emotional wellbeing programs.

MICHELLE KEEN

Office Administrator

Michelle is a Noongar woman who grew up in the Midland area and has considerable experience in various administrative roles requiring both organisational skills and the ability to build rapport through trust, sensitivity and compassion. She spent 9 years working for the Coronial Investigation Squad with the WA Police assisting families and investigations into reportable deaths. Prior to this, she was an Aboriginal Education Office with Middle Swan Primary School and a bookkeeper. She is also a talented amateur photographer, having been selected as a finalist for the AFL’s Footy Focus Photo Competition with her own venture Keen 2 Kapture.

MARGARET COYNE

Board Member

Margie is from Menang country with connection to Yamatji through her grandmother. She is a qualified level 1 referee, level 1 coach and Referee Coach and passionate about developing a referee academy through Binar. She strongly believes in giving back to the sport and community and giving everyone a place to belong where they can be included and have a chance to meet people, make friends, learn, grow and connect with others.

JAHNA
CEDAR

Board Member

Jahna Cedar is a proud Nyiyaparli/Yindjibarndi woman from the Pilbara region of Western Australia. With over 28 years of unwavering commitment, she has tirelessly advocated for equal rights and the reconciliation of Indigenous peoples. Jahna has represented her community on the global stage, including at the United Nations in New York, championing children's rights and advocating for equal access to employment, education, and training for women. In 2012, Jahna made history as the youngest inductee into the Western Australian International Women’s Day Hall of Fame. She is a seasoned professional board member and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her roles. Jahna is dedicated to challenging perceptions, dismantling harmful stereotypes, and tirelessly advocating for Indigenous people, with a particular focus on women and children. Her work continues to inspire and create meaningful change within her community and beyond.

COREY
DALTON

Board Member

EFREM GARLETT-WATSON

Engagement Officer, Mentor

Efrem Garlett-Watson is a Ballardong Noongar man who was one of the original Binar boys team in 2011. He started helping with and then managing a school-based competition run by Binar in 2014 at Midland PCYC. He has held various paid and voluntary roles including having completed a traineeship (Cert III in Sport & Recreation) at Swan Active Midland and then being employed as a lifeguard at Swan Active, coach and mentor at Koya Aboriginal Corporation, liaison officer with Rooforce, COVID screening officer with Derbal Yerrigan Health Services. He is a level 1 referee with first aid qualifications and is a valuable asset to Binar with his leadership skills and work ethic in numerous roles including referee, coach, mentor, team manager, administrator, competition manager, games controller, camp coordinator and bus driver.

BOSTON FITCH

Competition Manager

An experienced administrator with a heart for people, Boston has been involved in the basketball industry for over ten years. Having worked in diverse basketball roles, including as a basketball referee and educator, a duty manager, a WABL and NBL1 assistant coach, and a Competitions Administrator, Boston has developed a unique blend of warm interpersonal skills and highly efficient organisational and administrative capabilities. His multifaceted background equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of basketball operations. He firmly believes in the profound impact that sports and meaningful connections can have on empowering young individuals to unlock their true potential.