The Collingwood All Stars are delighted to announce the appointment of Manny Hendrix Jr and Lauren Ibbott as respective Head Coaches of the Collingwood All Stars Big V Men’s and Women’s Youth League teams in 2019.

Big V Youth League Men – Manny Hendrix Jr

The All Stars are pleased to announce the reappointment of Manny Hendrix Jr as Head Coach of the Collingwood All Stars Youth League Men’s team.

Manny has made a very positive impression in his first two years of coaching, taking a group of home grown players deep into the playoffs in both seasons. In 2018 he has been nominated for Big V Coach of the Year in Division 2 Youth Men. This is in addition to another stellar season playing with the Collingwood All Stars
Division 1 Men’s team.

Hailing from Salt Lake City, Utah, Manny began his Big V career in 2012 with the Southern Peninsula Sharks and later the Western Port Steelers. Manny joined the All Stars in 2016 where he has captained the Division 1 Men’s team and is Director of Basketball Programs. Manny continues to impress as an athletic, high scoring point guard and play maker, and won back-to-back Big V MVP awards in 2015 and 2016 amongst numerous other Big V accolades.

“I’m delighted to have been reappointed as the Collingwood All Stars Youth League Men’s head coach,” said Manny. “Our Youth League team has impressed many over its first two seasons, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to again lead such a wonderfully talented group of young men.”

Big V Youth League Women – Lauren Ibbott

The All Stars are in the process of applying for a Big V Youth League Women’s team for 2019 and are thrilled to announce Lauren Ibbott as the inaugural Head Coach.

Lauren is an All Stars stalwart, and brings to the role a wealth of playing and coaching experience. She began her playing career with Diamond Valley at both a domestic and rep level, before moving on to coaching representative U14s, 16s and 18s. At the All Stars, Lauren has coached the 18.1 girls rep team for the past three years – this year’s team reached VJL1 level, the highest ranked 18.1 girls All Stars team ever. Lauren is also an original member of the Collingwood All Stars Women’s team which launched two seasons ago.

Lauren is excited to be hanging up her Big V singlet and picking up the whiteboard as the inaugural Youth League Women’s coach, having witnessed first-hand the wealth of young female talent coming through the Club.

Lauren says she is delighted with her appointment.

“I’m honoured and thrilled to be appointed the inaugural All Stars Youth League Women’s head coach,” said Lauren. “We have a fantastic and highly talented group of young women at our Club and I can’t wait to see where we can go. I’m particularly looking forward to working with Janita Badon – head coach of our Big V Women’s team – and our other Big V coaches.”

All Stars President Tony Corr said the appointments reaffirm the Club’s strong commitment to providing genuine player pathways for All Stars players through the Big V program.

“The Big V program provides an important opportunity for our mature All Stars players – regardless of gender, background or means – to continue playing senior basketball at the very highest levels. We are extremely excited about the prospect of launching a Big V Youth League Women’s team in 2019 and providing opportunities for the many talented young women at our Club,” said Tony.

“We are particularly delighted to have appointed two fine young women – in Lauren Ibbott and Janita Badon – as Big V head coaches for 2019. There continues to be a significant under-representation of women in senior coaching positions – whether that be Big V basketball or the broader sporting landscape. The Collingwood All Stars have long been ambassadors and champions for inclusivity, and we are delighted to lead the way in this important respect,” said Tony.