Perry Lakes SBL Coaches Geared up for 2010

With plenty to prove following a booming but ultimately disappointing 2009 campaign, Perry Lakes’ SBL teams are looking forward to banging the boards in 2010. Personnel wise, the Hawks have retained many from the 2009 group, with the addition of some new assistant coaches and senior players, and are pleased with the re-signing of their head coaches, Glenn Ellis and Dion Dagostino. Big on the agenda is the home court move from Perry Lakes Stadium to the new WA Basketball Centre, and with new sponsors and talent on board, 2010 is looking good. Full story by Lyndsay Pekin below.

PERRY LAKES LADY HAWKS WSBL

The Lady Hawks’ coaching staff bring a wealth of experience to the table, with former Perth Wildcat Glenn Ellis appointed to lead the team for another promising season.  Alongside Ellis, Ian Wardrope returns for his sixth year with the Lady Hawks, Conrad Francis and Sandra Gibbs, taking on the roles of the Assistant Coaches.

Ellis, who played 250 games in the NBL, has received five Basketball WA awards in his 20 years of coaching and has been the driving force behind five WSBL championship teams.  Wardrope’s 20 years experience as a player and 12 years as a coach has seen him achieve two WSBL championships, in addition to premier Division 1 and Under 20’s teams. Francis brings a further 25 years of experience to the team, with previous involvement as a player and coach in junior, senior and state level competition.

Tanya Kelly will return as the team captain for what will be a big season for the experienced player. Kelly will lead what coaching staff describe as an award-winning team, as they aim to go one better and take out the championships in the 2010 season. This year sees the loss of star player Deanna Smith, but her shoes are expected to be filled with not one player, but several, who will step up to the game.

Whilst the team hosts a number of star players, including Chelsea Boyanich who returns from another season with the Lynx and Belinda Campbell from Victoria, the coaching staff has also recognised development opportunities for younger players who will have key roles in the team’s future.

PERRY LAKES HAWKS MSBL

Dion Dagostino has been a part of the Perry Lakes Hawks throughout his entire career as a player and coach and this year will be no exception. The men’s SBL coach returns for another year after a promising 2009 season, which saw the team narrowly miss out on the championship title. This will be Dagostino’s second year as head coach and it follows a successful playing career, including junior teams, state teams and 15 years in the SBL.

Dagostino’s Assistant Coaches are also long-time members of the club, with Dan Fisher set to join the coaching staff for the fourth year running and Heath Gardiner returning to the role he filled from 2000-2008. Trent Mayger also joins them as an Assistant Coach, bringing further knowledge and experience to the team.

Fisher, a long-time member of the Hawks, has developed a successful track record as a player and coach. His achievements range from Assistant Coaching positions for the state team from 2006 to 2009, including two bronze medals, to his role as head coach for the Men’s Division 1 team, who have been the premiers of the league for two years running. Gardiner is also a long-time member of the club, starting as a junior and playing for the Hawks in the SBL from 1989-2000. His coaching experience, in addition to being the SBL Assistant Coach from 2000-2008, also ranges from U14 Girls Club Championship team to coaching the men’s Division 1 team in the WA Basketball League.

The 2010 season looks to be a promising one, with some new players as well as familiar stars returning for another season. Freshly imported, 6’11 Bobby Kempf is a great addition to the team, alongside Townsville Croc’s Peter Crawford and ex-Melbourne Tiger Brett Jefferies. Whilst these experienced players will make a huge impact on the season, the coaching staff will continue to develop the younger members of the squad to maintain the balance that will produce a successful team for many years to come. The team captain is yet to be appointed, after the retirement of star guard Joe-Alan Tupaea following the 2009 season.

The team aims to secure a better position on the ladder and go into the finals with the confidence that saw them through to the grand final last year. With a strong mix of experienced players and young talent, it looks to be an exciting year for the Hawks.




Comments

Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.

Refreshing your Website?

Mobile responsive websites made easy using the new Stack Commerce Website Theme. Subscribe and enhance your site using our range of Add On Features including an integrated Shop.

Laptops showing the Stack Commerce Website Theme.