Townsville Basketball is excited to announce Luke Brennan as the new head coach of the Dennis’ Computers – A.Gabrielli Constructions Flames for the 2019 QBL season. After a highly successful playing career in the NBL, QBL and NSW State League Brennan has followed his passion for the sport into the coaching realm. Currently an assistant coach with the Townsville Fire in the WNBL, Brennan will bring great experience, knowledge and strong leadership to the Flames program.

The Flames came within an inch of their first QBL title in 10 seasons in 2018, falling in a thrilling grand final series to Southern Districts. Brennan already has an intimate knowledge of the Flames program and their recent performances and will look to build on the foundations which have been laid by outgoing mentor Mike St-Maurice. While this will be his first senior women’s head coaching role, Brennan has extensive experience in leading junior teams in both NSW and Queensland as well as his broad playing experience which included multiple seasons with the Sydney Kings in the NBL where he played under all-time great head coach Brian Goorjian.

“Luke’s passion and knowledge of the game is what we were seeking in our Flames head coach. His experience at multiple levels of the sport will be a huge asset to the team and the entire Townsville Basketball program over the coming years. I’m really excited to work with Luke in his role as head coach and I know he will keep steering this program in the right direction” offered Townsville Basketball General Manager, Greg Vanderjagt.

“We have lofty expectations for the Flames every year and 2019 will be no different. We needed an experienced, mature coach to lead this team and Luke ticks all the boxes for us. While he has not yet been a head coach at the QBL level; his leadership characteristics, communication skills and knowledge of the game certainly put him in a great position to be an excellent head coach in year one”.

Brennan shared his excitement of his appointment as he moves into his first senior head coach position “I’m honoured to be able to lead the Flames program in 2019 to keep building on what Mike has started here. I’ll bring some unique qualities to the role and I can’t wait to get our team onto the court to start our preparation for the 2019 season”. 

“I’m passionate about the sport and Basketball is something which has given me so much over a long period of time now. I’m excited about this opportunity following on from my first season with the Townsville Fire. Coaching at the senior female level certainly presents me with some unique challenges as a first-year head, but I have a great support network here in Townsville to lean on to put the team in a position to be successful”.

The Flames are aiming to retain the core group of the grand final team from 2018 as a priority in recruiting this off-season with negotiations already underway with a number of players. With the 2019 season set to tip-off in late April, the Flames will commence pre-season training in February in anticipation of round 1 of the regular season.