Basketball Australia is pleased to announce Tom Kyle as the new Head Coach of the Australian Gliders women’s wheelchair basketball team.

In a major coup for the Gliders program, Kyle has been appointed to a full-time position, based at the Basketball Australia National Wheelchair Centre of Excellence at the New South Wales Institute of Sport in Sydney.

Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Kristina Keneally said she looks forward to seeing the team continue to build on its success on the international stage under Tom’s leadership.

“The Australian Gliders have been one of the most successful sporting teams in this country over the past two decades, regularly winning Paralympic and World Championship medals – including medals at the past four Paralympic Games,” Ms Keneally said.

“In Tom, we have a coach who has the ability to lead the team to future success and understands the expectations on the Gliders program.

“We congratulate Tom on his appointment and look forward to seeing the Gliders continue to be a force on the world stage under his watchful eye.”

Kyle brings a wealth of experience on the domestic and international front to the role as the current Head Coach of the Australian Under 23 men’s wheelchair basketball team preparing for the 2013 IWBF U23 World Championship in September.

He served as an Assistant Coach for the Australian Rollers men’s wheelchair basketball team from 2009, helping the team win gold at the 2009 Paralympic World Cup and 2010 IWBF World Championship; as well as silver at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.

Kyle is embarking on his fourth season as Head Coach of the RSL Queensland Spinning Bullets in the National Wheelchair Basketball League (NWBL) and has worked extensively at the junior level with men’s and women’s programs.

An excited Kyle said he is looking forward to continuing the Gliders’ tradition of success on the international stage.

"This is an amazing opportunity ahead with the Gliders,” Kyle said. 

“They are a fabulous team who have continued to improve over the last 4 years, with such an established base we’ll now look to take it to the next level.

“Additionally with BA committing to a full-time position, it reinforces the commitment that exists to the Gliders program.

“I’m very excited about what the future holds for the Gliders and the great things we can do together.”

The Gliders Head Coach selection panel – chaired by Basketball Australia's General Manager of High Performance, Steven Icke – included legendary WNBL and 2006 FIBA World Championship-winning Australian Opals coach Jan Stirling, Australian Rollers Head Coach Ben Ettridge and General Manager of Sport at the Australian Paralympic Committee Michael Hartung.

Kyle has been contracted through to the completion of the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, with a full performance review to take place at the completion of the 2014 IWBF Women’s Wheelchair Basketball World Championship.

Many of the stars of the Gliders program will be in action this weekend as the 2013 Women's National Wheelchair Basketball League tips-off in Sydney tonight. 

Tom Kyle – Background information

• Australian Rollers Assistant Coach (2009-2013)
     o 2009 Paralympic World Cup (Gold)
     o 2010 IWBF World Championship (Gold)
     o 2012 London Paralympic Games (Silver)
• Australian Under 23 Men’s Head Coach (2013-Present)
• RSL Queensland Spinning Bullets (NWBL) Head Coach (2008-2009, 2012-present)
• Sporting Wheelies and Disable Association Director of Coaching (2008-2013)
• RSL Queensland Spinning Bullets (NWBL) Assistant Coach (2010-2011)
     o NWBL Coach of the Year (2011)
     o Sporting Wheelies and Disable Association Coach of the Year (2011)
• Australian Under 23 Men’s Assistant Coach (2009)
     o 2009 IWBF Under 23 World Championship (4th)
• Queensland Junior Wheelchair Basketball Program Head Coach (2008-2011)