tech, Author at Wyndham Basketball

The WBA Executive Team is excited to announce our new General Manager, Craig Armstead.

Craig joins the team with a wealth of experience as a sports administrator, including as CEO at the Essendon District Football League, Consumer Business Manager at the Geelong Cats and General Manager – Clubs and Memberships at Greyhound Racing Victoria.

Having a love of basketball since playing in his younger days, Craig also previously worked as the General Manager of Marketing & Sales for the former South Dragons NBL franchise.

Craig said he was thrilled to take up the GM role and couldn’t wait to help drive our community’s return to the basketball court.

“Wyndham Basketball is an exciting place to be. It’s an association on the rise and I can’t wait to be part of it,” Craig explained.

“I’m passionate about sports participation and administration and I love basketball. My aim is to use my knowledge and experience to continue to build on the WBA’s professionalism and successes and ensure we’re providing the best possible opportunities for juniors, social basketballers and elite players, referees and coaches.

WBA President Paul Jones said the WBA was pleased to have secured a General Manager with Craig’s enthusiasm and experience.

“Craig has such extensive sports administration experience and I’m really pleased a lot of that has been in member-based organisations like ours. It means he brings an acute understanding of what is required in an association such as the WBA,” Paul said.

“We wanted to find someone for this role who knew our sport intimately, but also had strong experience in team management, business understanding and a strategic outlook. In Craig, we believe we have found that person.”

“Craig impressed us immensely and we can’t wait to work with him to help take the WBA to the next level,” Paul said.

Craig joins the WBA team as it works closely alongside Basketball Victoria and Basketball Australia to develop a safe strategy to return to the court when Covid-19 restrictions allow.

While we’re edging closer to a return to court, Wyndham Basketball is committed to helping prepare junior players of all ages and abilities with the opportunity to be ready to return!

Over the school holidays we’re offering 4, FREE online sessions at three different levels – Aussie Hoops for beginners, Domestic for all players in our domestic competition and VJBL Rep for those striving to make the best team possible next session.

You only need to register once and you will be sent the Zoom link which will be the link for all 4 sessions across the two weeks.

AUSSIE HOOPS

Wednesday Sept 23 & 30
Thursday Sept 24 & Oct 1

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Domestic

Monday Sept 21 & Sept 28
Wednesday Sept 23 & Sept 30

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

VJBL Rep players

Monday Sept 21 & 28
Friday Sept 25 & Oct 2

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Any questions about any of the holiday sessions can be emailed to Emilee Harmon: emilee.harmon@wyndhambasketball.com

Unfortunately, with the extension to Stage 4 restrictions, our proposed VJBL Rep tryout dates in early October will not go ahead. We will continue to monitor the advice from government and Basketball Victoria and keep our community informed on new dates as soon as we can.

BUT, in the meantime – do you want to give yourself the best chance of making a high team next year? And hear from the best WBA VJBL coaches, plus Big V players and coaches?

Our Rep Prep Online Sessions are the perfect way to gear up both mentally and physically as we edge closer to returning to the court.

The training sessions will be using Zoom communications and will run for 45 minutes.

The session will feature 3 coaches from across the associations each week and are open to all existing VJBL players and any aspiring players hoping to tryout and make a team for the upcoming season.

The sessions are on Wednesday at 5:00 pm until 5:45 pm.

The program will run for 5 weeks starting on September 23rd, September 30, October 7, 14, and 21.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER HERE

You only need to register once, it’s the same Zoom link for all 5 sessions.

#WynAsOne

Wyndham Basketball is pleased to call for applications for all junior representative teams for the 2020/21 VJBL season. The VJBL has been a key pathway for many of Australia’s best players & coaches. Coaching is one of the most rewarding things an individual can do. Come & join one of Victorian Basketball’s fastest growing and developing basketball associations.

Please see attached below a position description for the VJBL coaching roles.

All applications are completed online by CLICKING HERE

APPLICATIONS CLOSE MONDAY, AUGUST 31^st 2020

VJBL Coach Selection Process

Coaching applications called for via WBA website and social media
Applications close Monday 31^stAugust, 2020
Appointed coach selection panel meet. Please note, interviews may be held at the discretion of the selection panel for existing coaches and all new coaches will be interviewed
Coaches appointed to an age group & gender prior to 2020/21 VJBL Representative Tryouts
Coaches appointed to specific teams at the conclusion of the 2020/21 VJBL Representative Tryouts

Please note: For applications to be accepted, they must be completed fully and correctly.

Any questions can be directed to the Coaching & Programs Coordinator, Jackie Gibson.

Email: jackie.gibson@wyndhambasketball.com OR Phone: (03) 9742 5440 & press 3

Wyndham Basketball is excited to announce Corey Michailidis will be our YL2W Head Coach for the 2021 Big V season.

Corey steps up to the role after a successful stint as assistant coach with our Championship Women team, which famously included a memorable run as stand-in head coach during the 2019 Big V finals.

He will also become the Girls Coaching Lead for our VJBL program.

Corey takes on both roles after Mason Rogers accepted an assistant role with Townsville Fire in the WNBL.

Excited by the opportunity to lead his own Big V team, Corey said he was looking forward to continuing to develop the YL2W program.

“I’d like to thank Paul Jones and the WBA Executive Committee for the opportunity to step up into the roles. Mason has put in some great work over the last three years and I’m really looking forward to taking over the reins. I am passionate about the development of young players and see the Youth League team as a crucial pathway for Wyndham’s brightest young stars,” Corey explained.

“I want the team to be aiming for finals appearances and ultimately promotion into the higher grades of the Big V Youth League competition.”

“I also want to thank the Championship Women playing group and coaching staff – in particular Reece Potter. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to develop under Reece and be involved in the team’s success over the past few seasons and am looking forward to watching the team build on this success in 2021.

Wyndham Basketball’s outgoing Player and Coach Development Manager Reece Potter said Corey was ready and capable to step into the new role.

“I’ve worked with Corey first-hand and witnessed his coaching up close. He brings a great balance of technical knowledge and player development to the role and I know he’ll be a great fit for this team.”

“He is a terrific role model for our Youth League players and is sure to help drive the future success of our program.”

Reece Potter will finish up his productive – and successful – stint as Wyndham Basketball’s Player and Coach Development Manager and Big V Champ Women Head Coach after accepting a full-time coaching role at a large private school in Sydney.

Across almost four years, Reece has overseen and driven the development of a number of WBA’s training programs, an overhaul of the VJBL representative program and the most successful period of our Women’s Big V program in its history.

Reece has been a powerhouse in his role, driving the creation of Domestic Development Program (DDP), Devils Edge and The West. He also oversaw exponential growth of our Aussie Hoops program and Hoops Academy.

DDP was an original program and has grown to become the envy of many associations across the country. And Aussie Hoops has gone from a small one-session program to multiple sessions and consistently in the top 5 size-wise in the country.

As Head Coach of our Big V Women’s program, Reece got the team promoted from Division 1 into Champ Division. And, as we all remember, in our first season of Champ Women took the team of a dream run all the way to the championship.

Reece said he has thoroughly enjoyed his time at Wyndham and will be keeping one eye on the basketball program from afar.

“This was my first full time basketball administration role and it’s been a great ride. I feel like the program has achieved a lot over the period and it is now set up to continue that success,” Reece explained.

“I am taking this chance to return my focus to my first love – coaching – in a full time role but will always look back fondly of my time in Wyndham, particularly that championship in 2019.”

WBA President Paul Jones said Reece had help professionalise the association during his tenure.

“When Reece started here at the WBA we had one full time staff member. The development of our players as a whole and the depth in our coaching across the program has improved out of sight,” Paul said.

“We knew coming from NSW was not going to be easy – the basketball landscape in Victoria is massive and very different and to new-comers it can be daunting to get your head around. Reece adjusted and thrived in the environment.”

“Our program is definitely in a better position now than when Reece started and that’s the mark of successful tenure. Everyone at the WBA wishes him all the best for his future.”

A process will now be set up to find a new Player and Coach Development Manager.

Wyndham Basketball can reveal Grant Duca will be reappointed as our Youth League Men’s head coach for the 2021 Big V season.

He will also continue his important work as Boys Coaching Lead in our VJBL program.

Grant will be re-joined in the 2021 VJBL program by Kyle Ogden, who will continue in his role as Assistant Coaching Lead.

After the disappointment of the 2020 non-season, Grant said he was excited to start planning towards the return of Big V basketball in 2021.

“I’m thankful to the WBA for giving me another chance to coach after what has been a disappointing year for everyone – both on and off the basketball court. I’m sure the guys will be as enthusiastic as I am about returning and I can’t wait to get back into it!” Grant said.

“I also love being involved in the VJBL program here at Wyndham and look forward to another year helping to guide our coaches, teams and players.”

Introduced last season, Kyle has provided important support to the program as the Assistant Coaching Lead.

“I love coaching, coach education and learning from others too, so I really enjoyed my time as Assistant Coaching Lead. I look forward to getting back on court when it’s safe to do so and will relish the opportunity to help the program again,” Kyle said.

Wyndham Basketball’s Player and Coach Development Manager Reece Potter said Grant had done a great job in his first season of Big V and looked forward to seeing the results of his hard work in 2021.

“Grant is a wonderful role model to the youth league players and a seriously good coach. It’ll be great to watch the team progress in 2021,” Reece said.

“The Coaching Lead and Assistant Coaching Lead roles are a vital cog in our VJBL rep program and both Grant and Kyle have done an impressive job so far and we look forward to them building on this once we are back on court.”

As mentioned yesterday, a new Youth League Women’s coach will be announced in the coming days.

After three years of building and improving Wyndham Basketball’s Youth League Women’s program, we’re thrilled to reveal Head Coach Mason Rogers has landed a new gig coaching in the WNBL.

Mason has accepted an offer to become an Apprentice Coach in the top level of female basketball in this country, working with Shannon Seebohm’s Townsville Fire during the 20/21 WNBL season.

Excited about the challenge, Mason credited the coaching environment at Wyndham with his rapid development.

“I came to Wyndham wanting to help contribute to the program and develop personally as a coach. I believe I’ve been able to achieve on both fronts and know my time here has been critical to preparing myself as a coach to take the next step in my career.”

“I can’t thank the Wyndham team enough, from the board to the staff – particularly Reece Potter and Paul Jones and the other coaching leads I’ve worked alongside. Their constant support has been terrific and I know the program, both at VJBL and the YLW, are in great shape to succeed into the future.”

The distance and time constraints of the new role mean Mason will vacate his role as the Head Coach of our YLW team and as Girl’s Coaching Lead in our VJBL program.

Player and Coach Development Manager Reece Potter said Mason’s success reflected that of the program.

“Having our young, developing coaches take exciting new steps in their own careers is a great compliment for our program. We have had a focus on developing coaches to be the best they can be and when you see our coaches given opportunities like this, you know we must be doing something right,” Potter said.

“Mason is a young coach with a lot of potential, he’ll learn a lot working with Shannon and a professional group of players!”

A successor to Mason as Youth League Women’s coach will be announced in the coming days, as will the new Girls Coaching Lead.

Our Aussie Hoops Activity pack is perfect for all Aussie Hoops and aspiring beginners to keep engaged with basketball as we navigate our way through Covid-19 lockdown.

With HEAPS of fun games, basketball challenges you can do at home and weekly skills targets, the Aussie Hoops Fun Pack will keep our 5-10 year old budding stars busy!