Basketball NSW is today pleased to announce, the 2018 Head Coach Appointments for the next year’s National Campaign.
Basketball NSW Head High Performance Manager Nathan Kirwan, alongside a selection panel interviewed several skilled candidates for the available positions.
2017 saw NSW have a relatively successful season on court, claiming two silver and two bronze medals throughout this years national’s campaign. The 2018 head coach appointments will see the return of a few familiar faces, with also the inclusion of individuals making their debut as a head coach on this stage.
Basketball New South Wales would like to formally congratulate the following individuals, on their appointment as the listed Head Coach for 2018.
U20 NSW Men & Women
Men’s Head Coach: Michael Cassidy Women’s Head Coach: Scott Balsar
The 2017 U20’s campaign proved to be one of the most successful, with both teams qualifying for their respective gold medal play offs. In 2018, the U20’s & Ivor Burge National Championship will be held in New South Wales; for Michael Cassidy it will be a fitting debut as Head Coach, returning to his old stomping ground of Gosford for the National Championships.
While the U20 Women will have Scott Balsar returning for the side, with the hope to claim the illusive Gold Medal in 2018.
U18 NSW Country Men & Women
Men’s Head Coach: Matt Johnston Women’s Head Coach: Michael Turton
For the U18 Country Women, it will see the long awaited return of Michael Turton. Michael has coached at this level for numerous years, and has also been involved in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) for the Sydney Uni Flames. Now residing with the Illawarra Basketball Association, Michael coached his Hawks to a Southern Junior League Championship.
Whilst Matt Johnson will be returning for the Country Men in 2018. Matt is a prominent figure within the Country Basketball community, coaching his U18 men’s team to an Australian Country Junior Basketball Championship (ACJBC) earlier this year.
U18 NSW Metropolitan Men & Women
Men’s Head Coach: Jacob Jackomas Women’s Head Coach: Alek Horenko
Recently returning to Australia after working with Brian Goorjian in the Chinese Basketball League, Jacob Jackomas will make his return as a head coach for U18 Men. Jackomas has also been involved within the National Basketball League (NBL), as well as BNSW’s High Performance Program.
Whilst for Alek Horenko, the 2018 season will see him move away from the U16’s where he coached back to back medal placings, in 2016/17. He will be looking to hopefully improve the result for a third consecutive year.
U16 NSW Country Men & Women
Men’s Head Coach: Jared Scoines Women’s Head Coach: Marty McLean
Two individuals who are more than familiar with state teams, both on and off the court are both Jared Scoines & Marty McLean. Having represented NSW as a player and coach, Jared & Marty have both been a part of the Country Basketball major events/tournaments including the Country Development Tour (CDT) & also the Australian Country Junior Basketball Championship (ACJBC).
U16 NSW Metropolitan Men & Women
Men’s Head Coach: Curtis Sardi Women’s Head Coach: Lauryn Curtin
New to the stage, Lauryn Curtin will make her debut as head coach for the U16 Women in 2018. Lauryn has assisted on numerous occasions for NSW Metropolitan State Teams, and will begin to forge her own path in the upcoming Nationals later next year. Curtis Sardi will be making his sixth appearance as a state coach representative; returning to the U16 Men next year. Curtis will be looking to go bigger and better in 2018, with the U16’s National Tournament heading to the Sunshine Coast.
Congratulations to the following coaches on their appointments, we wish you all the best of luck in your upcoming national campaigns.
Trial information in relation to each of the following teams will be released in closer proximity to their respective National Championship