As the excitement builds, anticipation reaches its peak at Selkirk Stadium (Ballarat, Victoria), where a harmonious convergence of players, coaches, officials, and avid spectators is set to unfold for the highly anticipated annual Under 20 & Ivor Burge Footlocker National Championships. The upcoming six-day tournament promises a thrilling spectacle, featuring a myriad of nail-biting matches and intense competition that will undoubtedly captivate the hearts of basketball enthusiasts nationwide.
This grand sporting event serves as the battleground for each state, as they passionately vie for supremacy and a gold medal for their state.
In preparation for this momentous occasion, Basketball NSW has written a comprehensive preview of the coaching staff at the helm for the four NSW teams set to compete during the week.
U20 Women
Head Coach: Tom Garlepp
Assistant Coach: Cindy Bonham
Assistant Coach: Rachel Higgisson
Manager: Renelle Genner
Following their impressive gold medal victory in 2023, Tom Garlepp’s U20 Women’s team is determined to achieve a back-to-back triumph at this year’s National Championships, solidifying their status as the team to beat.
Tom Garlepp, the Head Coach, leads the charge for the sixth time in this age group. With an illustrious coaching career, Garlepp boasts gold medals in 2023 and 2021, along with a silver in 2019. Currently serving as the Head Coach of the Norths Bears U18 Girls for the 2024 season, Garlepp has been an integral part of the BNSW High Performance Coaching group, offering mentorship to numerous younger coaches through BNSW tournaments.
Joining Garlepp for the first time in the U20 age group as an AC is Cindy Bonham from Illawarra. Bonham, familiar with elite national tournaments, previously led the U14 Girls Illawarra Hawks to an undefeated season and a national title in 2023. Her experience includes assisting the U18 Country Girls in 2022, who secured a bronze. Currently at the helm of Illawarra’s U18 Girls & Youth League Women for the 2024 season, Bonham’s recent success in winning a historic national club title with the U14 Girls adds valuable insights to the coaching staff.
Rachel Higgisson, entering her fifth year as an Assistant Coach, returns to support the team’s podium quest. In 2023, she led Norths to a maiden Youth League Women’s title as Head Coach and played a role in the coaching staff for the NBL1 East Norths Bears Women’s side that clinched the grand final. As a former player, Higgisson not only brings coaching expertise but also provides strength for the girls to lean on throughout the highs and lows of the competition.
Renelle Genner, known affectionately as ‘Mamma G,’ resumes her role as the manager for the U20 Women’s team after last year’s success. With a track record of nurturing teams, including the U18 Country Girls in 2022 and Waratah 1 Women’s team at Illawarra, Genner’s expertise extends to various representative sides, including those in the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup. Recognised as one of the best in the business, Genner is celebrated for maintaining positive vibes and keeping the girls in a great mental space to play at their best.
U20 Men
Head Coach: Brook Pearce
Assistant Coach: Angus Bourke
Assistant Coach: Pat Williamson
Manager: Jared Wilson
Following their silver medal achievement in 2023, Head Coach Brook Pearce is enthusiastic about returning to the national stage to guide the U20 Men towards the grand final in 2024, with the ultimate goal of clinching the gold. In his second year at the helm for this age group, Pearce is well-versed in the intensity required at the Nationals, having also contributed to the U20 Men, U16 Metro Boys, and High-Performance Programs in recent years.
Returning to the bench as an Assistant Coach is Sutherland’s Pat Williamson. In his second year in this role, Williamson brings a valuable edge to the team, drawing from his experience interning with the NBL Illawarra Hawks. Notably, he recently led the Sutherland Sharks Men NBL1 East team to victory in the Grand Final during the 2023 season, showcasing his coaching prowess and ability to contribute to success at the highest levels.
NSW welcomes back Angus Burke from the North Bears, who returns to the National Championships after previously Head Coaching the U16 Metro Boys in the 2022 tournament. Burke has also served as an Assistant Coach for the U20 Women and U18 Metro Boys. Currently at the helm as the Norths Bears NBL1 Men’s Head Coach, Burke is poised to inject the spark the U20 Men’s team needs to compete fiercely in every game.
Adding a touch of new energy to the team is Manager Jared Wilson, a rookie to the National Championships, hailing from Sutherland. Wilson, drawing on his national playing experience from back in the day, will be eager to keep the energy high within the group. His role will be crucial in ensuring the team is well-prepared and ready to perform at their best on the national stage.
Ivor Burge Women
Head Coach: Cheryl Wills
Assistant Coach: Ros Wells-Davies
Assistant Coach: Cindy Mascord
Manager: Sarah Mottram
In her triumphant third appearance at the national tournament, Cheryl Wills assumes the role of Head Coach for the Ivor Burge Women’s team. Drawing on her extensive experience as an association coach at Newcastle Basketball, Wills is well-acquainted with the physicality and high skill level required for competitive coaching. Having led her team to silver in the last two Ivor Burge tournaments, Wills is poised to kick off the current tournament with fervor. Leveraging her effective communication skills, she is committed to nurturing and improving this group of talented young athletes throughout the week.
Joining Wills as an Assistant Coach for the second time at the national level is Ros Wells-Davies. With over 30 years of coaching and management experience, Wells-Davies is set to enhance the women’s team, and she concurrently takes on the role of Head Coach for the U16 Maitland Mustang Girls this season. Her wealth of experience positions her as a valuable asset to the coaching staff, ensuring the team reaches its full potential.
Making her debut at the national tournament is Cindy Mascord, the Newcastle Falcons NBL1 Women’s AC. With a rich background in coaching junior and senior teams at her home association, Mascord brings a considerable basketball IQ to the coaching staff. Having once been an addition to Newcastle’s squad as an American Import, she adds a unique perspective and further enriches the team’s coaching dynamics.
Completing the lineup is the seasoned manager, Sarah Mottram, making her second appearance at the national stage. Mottram’s extensive refereeing experience across various levels within Basketball NSW makes her an instrumental support figure for the team both on and off the court. As the final piece of the puzzle, Mottram contributes to the team’s collective goal of clinching the gold in the upcoming tournament.
Ivor Burge Men
Head Coach: Paul O’Neill
Assistant Coach: Mick Harris
Manager: Deb Banks
Leading the Ivor Burge Men for the seventh consecutive year is Paul O’Neill from Sutherland. Since assuming the role in 2018, O’Neill has showcased his leadership prowess. With a rich coaching background spanning over two decades at the Sydney South Special Olympics and 25 years as a Head Coach at a Sports School, O’Neill has amassed 35 years of comprehensive experience. His expertise extends across various domains, including administration, board governance, and coaching. Once again, he is poised to extract the best from every team member.
Joining forces with O’Neill is Mick Harris, a stalwart with the Ivor Burge State Team since 2018. Harris, whose involvement in multiple sports also extends to coaching skiing and snowboarding, has a passion for nurturing athletes who often go unnoticed. His coaching journey includes stints at the Special Olympics, Austria World Games, Trans Tasman in Cairns, Asia Pacific Australian Team in Newcastle and Adelaide, as well as the National Games in Melbourne and Canberra.
Returning to the managerial role is Deb Banks, who brings her infectious enthusiasm and valuable life experience back to the team after a hiatus on the sidelines. Her presence is set to contribute significantly throughout the week.
The 2024 Under 20 and Ivor Burge National Championships will be held from Tuesday 30th January to Sunday 4th February. All games will be held at: Selkirk Stadium, 989 Norman Street, Wendouree, 3355
Monday 29th Jan:Media & Training Day (U20 Teams only)
Tuesday 30th Jan: Pool Games (U20) / Media Day & Training (Ivor Burge Teams)
Wednesday 31st Jan: Pool Games
Thursday 1st Feb: Pool Games
Friday 2nd Feb: Quarter Finals & Classifications
Saturday 3rd Feb: Semi Finals & Classifications
Sunday 4th Feb: Grand Final, Play Offs & Closing Ceremony
Fixtures available here.
Tickets are on sale here. Note: Can only be purchased online.
The Ivor Burge Championship is for athletes with an intellectual disability as per the VIRTUS classification requirements.
Teams participating in these championships are representing their state.