Adelaide Lightning Appoints Tess Madgen as General Manager of Basketball

The Adelaide Lightning has announced the appointment of South Australian basketball icon and two-time Olympian, Tess Madgen, as the club’s inaugural General Manager of Basketball.

The former Opals captain, who joined the organisation in 2025 as a special advisor, moves into this newly created leadership role effective immediately, ahead of the WNBL27 free agency period.

Two-time World Cup medallist, Madgen, returns to her roots with a clear mandate to restore the Lightning to its championship-winning era.

“I’m proud that we have the opportunity for us to go back to our roots, set our vision and do the work to win a championship; that’s what we’re here to do,” Madgen said.

Her focus will centre on community outreach, inspiring female athletes, and the retention of homegrown South Australian talent.

Adelaide Lightning CEO, Melanie MacGillivray, highlighted that Madgen’s transition from the court to the front office reflects the club’s growing momentum.

“Tess is a deeply respected athlete, coach, and leader, and we’re incredibly proud she is joining us in this capacity.”

“She has a strong track record for success both on and off the court,” MacGillivray said.

Strategic Leadership and High-Performance Focus

The appointment follows the recent two-year contract extension of head coach Aja Parham-Ammar, signalling a period of structural stability for the Adelaide franchise. Madgen and Parham-Ammar are reportedly already collaborating on recruitment strategies to strengthen the roster before the upcoming season.

Key strategic priorities for the new General Manager include:

• Pathway Development: Creating a sustainable pipeline for young South Australian talent to transition into the professional ranks.
• Cultural Transformation: Building a high-performance environment focused on skill development and athlete confidence.
• Commercial and Community Engagement: Leveraging Madgen’s profile to deepen the club’s connection with its grassroots fan base.

The move is a significant play for the Lightning, as Madgen’s reputation within the global basketball community provides the club with a powerful voice in player negotiations and corporate partnerships. 

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