BatFast has named former Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley as its new Global Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant step in the company’s international growth strategy.
The appointment takes immediate effect and comes as BatFast accelerates the global rollout of its AI-powered sports simulation technology across Australia, India, North America, and the Middle East. The move signals the company’s ambition to strengthen its leadership bench while expanding its presence at the intersection of sport, data, and immersive digital experiences.
Expanding a Technology-Driven Sports Platform
BatFast operates a sports simulation platform that combines robotics, computer vision-based ball tracking, machine learning analytics, and gamification. The result is a system designed not only for elite-level training but also for fan engagement and interactive entertainment.
The platform allows players of all levels to experience realistic, data-driven performance feedback in an accessible environment. As demand grows for technology-enabled training and experiential sports venues, BatFast is positioning itself as a foundational infrastructure provider within cricket and potentially other sports globally.
Hockley’s Experience Across Global Sport
Hockley brings more than two decades of leadership experience in international sport, major events, and commercial operations.
Most recently, he served as CEO of Cricket Australia from 2020 to 2025, guiding the organisation through pandemic-related disruption while maintaining commercial growth and competitive success. During his tenure, Australian teams secured multiple international trophies, including Ashes victories and ICC titles, while the organisation strengthened broadcast partnerships and refreshed its long-term strategic roadmap.
Earlier in his career, Hockley played senior roles in global sporting events, including involvement in the London 2012 Olympic Games and leadership of the ICC T20 World Cup.
His experience navigating complex sporting ecosystems and managing high-profile international tournaments positions him to guide BatFast through its next expansion phase.
Existing Relationship with BatFast
Hockley’s connection to BatFast is not new. During his time at Cricket Australia, the company’s technology featured in fan engagement initiatives, offering interactive cricket experiences powered by real-time analytics.
Since October 2025, he has also served as chair of HiTZ Australia, a cricket training platform majority-owned by BatFast and powered by its SmartPlay system. The recent launch of HiTZ in Melbourne marked the first international deployment of BatFast’s AI-enabled cricket training model.
This familiarity with the company’s technology and operating model is expected to accelerate integration and execution under his leadership.
Vision for Technology-Enabled Sport
Speaking on his appointment, Hockley emphasized the growing role of technology in reshaping how sport is played, trained, and experienced.
He noted that BatFast addresses a long-standing challenge in sport: making elite-level training accessible while delivering engaging, interactive experiences for a broader audience. Beyond simulation, the platform captures detailed performance data, personalizes feedback, and supports skill development across ability levels.
As digital tools become more central to sports performance and fan engagement strategies, BatFast’s approach reflects a broader industry trend toward AI-driven training ecosystems.
Founder Support and Strategic Direction
BatFast founders Runish Gudhka and Jignesh Patel will continue in their roles as Founder & Chief Strategy Officer and Founder & Chief Technology Officer, respectively.
Both founders highlighted Hockley’s experience leading complex sporting organisations and his understanding of the company’s technology platform as key factors behind the appointment.
According to the leadership team, the goal is to establish BatFast as core infrastructure within cricket’s global ecosystem and eventually extend its technology across multiple sports categories.
Growing Global Partnerships
BatFast already works with leading sports bodies and organisations including England and Wales Cricket Board, the International Cricket Council, Tennis Australia, and Major League Baseball.
With Hockley now at the helm, BatFast is expected to deepen these partnerships while exploring new market opportunities across regions where technology-driven sports experiences are gaining traction.
Technology and Sport Converge
The appointment underscores a broader shift in the sports industry: technology is no longer an add-on but a core enabler of performance, fan engagement, and commercial growth.
By combining AI, robotics, and data analytics with leadership experience drawn from global sporting institutions, BatFast aims to redefine how athletes train and how fans interact with the games they love.
As sports organisations continue to modernize, BatFast’s leadership transition may mark an important step toward building scalable, technology-first infrastructure for the future of sport.