Former Giants’ import Vern Robateau has emerged as the likely missing piece in the Goldfields Giants’ coaching jigsaw puzzle, with the ex-Brisbane Bullets assistant formally offered the State Basketball League club’s head coaching job.

Giants chairman Graham Crew described Robateau on Friday as the club’s “preferred candidate”, confirming the Queensland-based American had unofficially accepted the role for 2010.

Crew said Robateau’s decision to relocate from Brisbane to Kalgoorlie-Boulder hinges on whether he can gain suitable employment.

“We are really excited to get him back here, and obviously he has the added bonus of knowing Kalgoorlie and a little bit about our program and the challenges,” Crew said.

“We just need to find the right job.”

Robateau, a 192cm swingman, played 31 games for the Giants between 1996 and 1997 under coaches Tom McClain and Calvin Earl.

He was originally signed in August, 1996 after the Giants sacked import Byron Bell.

Robateau averaged 30.1 points per game in his first 19 games, including a career-high 42 points in a 130-114 win over Cockburn in October, 1996.

But his second season with the Giants was ruined after just 12 games by a knee injury.

As a coach, Robateau – who turns 42 on November 25 – was an assistant with the Brisbane Bullets in the National Basketball League between 2006 and 2008.

He was working alongside head coach Joey Wright when the Bullets won the 2006-07 NBL championship.

Robateau was also head coach of Queensland’s Southern District Spartans in the Australian Basketball Association. At the time, the Spartans team included former Giants Leon and Brad Williamson.

Meanwhile, the Giants have confirmed a special Allstars game will be played next Saturday to raise funds for popular captain Shamus Ballantyne, who has been diagnosed with a form of lymphoma.

Among the big names putting their hands up to play are Perth Wildcats legend Ricky Grace, who will be asked to wear Ballantyne’s No.21 and fill his spot at point-guard on the Giants’ roster.

The Allstars line-up will include former NBL player Aaron Trahair and Carlin Hughes, who played alongside Australian Boomers point-guard Patrick Mills at US college St Mary’s.

Some familiar faces from rival SBL clubs, Willetton’s Adam Nener and Perry Lakes’ Trent Mayger, along with Cockburn Cougars star and 2006 Giants Most Valuable Player Bryce Burch, are also confirmed starters.

Crew said Ballantyne had insisted at least half of the proceeds from the match go towards the Cancer Council of Australia.

“He’s down there (in Perth) for cancer treatment and he’s seeing a lot of other people suffering as well,” Crew said.

“He doesn’t want it to be all about him, but with his chemotherapy treatment lasting eight months he won’t be able to earn a living next year.

“We need the community to really get behind this game.”

Article by Jarrod Lucas (Kalgoorlie Miner)