VIC COUNTRY COACHES ANNOUNCED FOR 2010 U18

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Basketball Victoria Country Council is pleased to announce the appointments of the coaching staff for the Victorian Country Junior Representative Under 18 State Teams for 2010.

The 2010 Australian Under 18 National Championships will be held in Terrigal, New South Wales in April. Following a thorough selection process, Manager Country Basketball, David Huxtable is pleased to announce the successful applicants.

Rob Baker from Ballarat has been successful in obtaining the position of Head Coach of the U18 Vic Country Women’s team. Rob has been part of the Vic Country program for a number of years including two stints as Assistant Coach with Vic Country State teams. Rob coached the Ballarat Lady Nuggets “D” League Team in the SEABL this year and has coached Vic Country Development teams in the Pacific Coast Slam and Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup.

Andrea Walsh (BVCC Staff) and Rod Boone (Geelong) have been appointed as Assistant Coaches to the U18 Girls. Andrea is a distinguished player and games record holder in the SEABL (398 games) and an experienced WNBL player with Bendigo Spirit, Melbourne Tigers, Bulleen Boomers and Townsville Fire. Andrea returns as an Assistant Coach after tasting success with the Silver Medal at the 2009 Nationals. Rod has been involved with the Vic Country program for a number of years, having coached at the Pacific Coast Slam and the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup on a number of occasions. Rod also has extensive experience coaching a number of age groups for Geelong in the VJBL and at Country Championships.

The team will be looked after by Team Manager Wendy Campbell from the Traralgon Basketball Association. Wendy is a very experienced Team Manager, also being involved with the Silver winning 2009 U18 Women’s Team. Wendy is a dedicated basketball person, who has held a number of positions within the Traralgon Basketball Association.

Stepping up to the position of Head Coach of the Victorian Country U18 Men’s Team for the first time is Bendigo’s David Flint. David has been an Assistant Coach for the U16 Boy’s (twice) and the 2009 U18 Men’s where he achieved medals each time. David has had a long playing career with the Bendigo Braves (over 300 games) in the ABA and also coached at this level for a number of years. David is still coaching Bendigo teams in the VJBL and at Country Championships.

Leigh Bathman (Shepparton) returns for a second year as Assistant Coach U18 Men’s and will be joined by Dave McDonald (Traralgon). Leigh was a valuable member of the 2009 Bronze Medal winning Vic Country Team and together with his experience in coaching Shepparton teams in the VJBL will bring his previous Nationals experience to the table. Dave McDonald has been involved in the Vic Country Coaching Program for a number of years attending Pacific Coast Slam and Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup. Dave is also an active coach in his local area and in the VJBL.

The U18 Men’s team and the coaching staff will have Wayne Bird (Westernport) as the Team Manager. Wayne makes a return to the Vic Country program following a number of years in semi basketball retirement.

Victoria’s Country Manager, David Huxtable congratulated all on their appointments and noted that the experience of the applicants made selections for positions very competitive and difficult. “As with the U16’s, I am particularly pleased with the calibre of coaches we have who are actually coaching at an Association level”, David said. “The U18 program requires coaches that have been in the program for some time and who have a strong knowledge of what is required.” David continued. “It is very apparent that the U18 Nationals can chew up coaches and the Selection Panel discussed in depth what is required at this level.”

David encourages more coaches to become involved in the Vic Country Basketball programs and the coaching opportunities that are available. This will only assist in the development of themselves as well as assisting the athletes to improve.

The player selection process has commenced and a squad of twenty athletes have been chosen to compete at the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup in January to press for selection in the Vic Country State Team. The Basketball Victoria Country Office is confident that they have the players and team staff to be very competitive in Terrigal in April 2010.

For any further information regarding his media release please contact:

David Huxtable,

Manager,

Country Basketball,

P: 0408 339 269

E: david.huxtable@bvcc.net.au 

Basketball Victoria Country Council

PO Box 463

Bendigo, 3552

Phone (03) 5440 6300

Email info@bvcc.net.au
Website www.bvcc.net.au