By Sam Worthington - Stuff.co.nz

Tim Hamilton is searching for lay-ups rather than slam-dunks as he settles into life as New Zealand's basketball boss.

The former North Harbour netball and Northland rugby head honcho has just got his feet under the desk after his first week as Basketball New Zealand's new chief executive.

Hamilton has spent his first five days "learning and listening" as he prepares to shape the future of a sport in which New Zealand has recently excelled on the court but struggled off it.

Hamilton acknowledges basketball's tumultuous past but points to the tremendous upside of the world's second-biggest team sport behind football.

"I've got a real desire to make a difference," he said.

"I saw the potential and opportunity of this sport, not only in this country but in the global sense and I want to be part of that."

Hamilton, who replaces Dale Stephens at the helm, is taking a long-term vision to implementing change and says the immediate goal is to improve lines of communication between basketball's head office and the regional outposts.

"I don't want to pre-judge or judge what has happened before but I think it is really important to link with those people and understand some of the messages that are coming from the provinces and the associations."

Another short-term goal is leaving no stone unturned with the Tall Blacks' preparation for next year's world championships in Turkey.

The Tall Blacks' stunning victory over Australia in Wellington in August came and went in a blur and Hamilton agrees New Zealand need to play more international matches on home soil.

"There are absolutely plans to do that. I can't be more specific than that right now but it is clearly important to them in terms of the international buildup to Turkey 2010.

"For people to touch our basketball players and be up close and personal with them is really important for the people who want to aspire to be Tall Blacks and be involved in basketball."

Hamilton's first week on the job was marked by the expansion of the National Basketball League to 11 teams, with Otago being readmitted and Southland breaking in.

The NBL is owned by BBNZ but operated by a Wellington group led by Wellington Saints chief executive Nick Mills. That curious arrangement is in place until 2012 and was signed off before Hamilton started as chief executive.

"All we can do is ensure that we're aligned to what they want to achieve," Hamilton said.

The women's game is in the mire, with no New Zealand presence in the powerful Australian league and no competitive national competition.

Hamilton vowed to turn things around.

"I'm passionate about the participation of women in sport.

"I know the board are looking at ways we can really enhance the women's product and I'm really keen to get involved."

Hamilton also said there was scope to gain some positive leverage working with the New Zealand Breakers, who have managed to gain a foothold in Auckland's often apathetic sports market.

"A lot of our New Zealand players play on the team so that link is fundamental."

Hamilton has already met with Sparc's chief executive, Peter Miskimmin, and BBNZ are desperately in need to stay onside for future funding.

And as for Hamilton's own jump shot?

"It struggled the last time I tried to perform it but I am sure there are plenty of people that can show me how."