Gerard Hillier will continue his decorated coaching career in 2021 as Wyndham’s new Championship Women Head Coach.

Gerard takes the reigns after a long stint with Southern Peninsula’s CW team and while continuing to coach at National level in 3×3 and within Basketball Victoria’s High-Performance Program.

He brings a wide range of experience and a passion for developing players to the role and is excited for the season ahead.

“Like everyone, it has been a frustrating year for the CW team. With all the momentum that comes with winning a championship, to not even get onto the court in 2020, that has been extremely difficult for the playing group, so I am focused on helping them return to the court and continue their winning ways” Hillier explained.

“With the outlook – in terms of being able to play – looking much brighter for 2021, I’m pumped to take over what has been such a successful program over the last couple of years, and equally as excited to promote some of the Wyndham local youngsters in to a more senior role within our program to ensure that our success continues well in to the future”

WBA General Manager Craig Armstead said the association was thrilled to be able to follow on Reece Potter’s successful stint as CW Head Coach with such an accomplished women’s coach.

“To have a coach with Gerard’s credentials on staff as our Player & Coach Development Manager, it made logical sense that he should coach our Championship Women.”

“He has coached at basically every level in Australia and has extensive knowledge and experience within the Champ Division. It was a really natural fit and the association is excited to see where Gerard can take the program,” Armstead said.

Gerard will be joined by returning Championship Men’s Coach and Boomers legend John Dorge.

At the Youth League level, as previously announced, Grant Duca will again lead the Youth Men, while Corey Michailidis steps up into the role of Youth Women head coach.

Wyndham Basketball is pleased to announce our 2020/21 VJBL coaches for our Junior Representative Program.

We again received a high number of applications to coach in the program this year and we thank all who applied. WBA would like to congratulate all coaches on their appointments and thank them for their commitment to our program.

Click the below links to see age-level and gender coaches:

U12 GIRLS

U12 BOYS

U14 GIRLS

U14 BOYS

U16 GIRLS

U16 BOYS

U18 GIRLS

U18 BOYS

U21 GIRLS

U21 BOYS

Please note: The WBA does not allocate coaches to specific teams (e.g. U12.3 boys) until the end of the Representative Tryout process. This is to ensure that we uphold the highest amount of integrity and transparency in our selection and tryout process. This method is also in place to protect coaches against scrutiny surrounding selection of teams being based on who they coached last year or players they have built relationships with. Finally it protects our parent coaches against accusations that their child only made the team because the parent is the coach.

Questions can be directed to the Player & Coach Development Manager, Gerard Hillier or Coaching and Programs Coordinator, Jackie Gibson.

gerard.hillier@wyndhambasketball.com or jackie.gibson@wyndhambasketball.com

The WBA’s 2020 AGM agenda and 2019 minutes are now available for all members:

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2020 AGM AGENDA

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2019 AGM MINUTES

The Wyndham Basketball Association is excited to reveal Gerard Hillier has secured the role of Player and Coach Development Manager.

Boasting an impressive coaching and administrative resume, Gerard brings a wealth of basketball-specific knowledge to the role and will help drive the WBA’s players and coaches to the next step.

During a 10 year tenure at Southern Peninsula Basketball Association, Gerard has coached at just about every level of basketball, including running Basketball Victoria’s high performance hub, at state level with Vic Country, in Big V Championship and in the VJBL.

On top of this extensive experience, Gerard has been at the forefront of the exciting 3×3 format, working as a coach at the Australian level.

With his passion for player development, Gerard said he was looking forward to getting to work at Wyndham and helping our players and coaches readjust after a long period away from the game.

“Obviously this has been an extremely challenging time for everyone in our sport, but it has been heartening to see players and coaches continue to commit to improvement through online sessions,” Gerard explained.

“I have seen Wyndham lead the way in this space and was involved in the Online Coaching Clinics earlier in the year, so I’m thrilled to be on board and can’t wait to bring my knowledge and experience to the WBA’s program.”

WBA General Manager Craig Armstead said Gerard would be a terrific asset for our association.

“Gerard’s resume speaks for itself, with experience across all levels of basketball, and his commitment to improvement during his time at Southern Peninsula really stood out for the WBA Executive,” Craig explained.

“We’re thrilled to welcome him to Wyndham and look forward to our program growing under his guidance.”

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & NOMINATIONS FOR COMMITTEE POSITIONS

All members are hereby advised that the Annual General Meeting for the Wyndham Basketball Association will be held on:

Thursday 12^th November 2020 at 7.00pm, Online via Zoom

The attached positions will be declared vacant at the meeting and opened for nominations. If you wish to nominate a member for a position, please fill in this form and return it to the club’s Secretary no later than 6:00pm on Friday 1st November 2020.

October 29th, 2020   6pm:

• All New Business to be forwarded to the WBA Secretary

November 1st, 2020 6pm:     

• Nominations for Vacant Positions to be forwarded to the WBA Secretary 
• Delegates Names and Contact Details to be forwarded to the WBA Secretary

November 5^th, 2020:

• Agenda Posted

CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTICE OF BUSINESS

CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL ELECTED POSITIONS NOMINATION FORM

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

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

1. Coaching applications called for via WBA website and social media
2. Applications close Monday 31^st August, 2020
3. 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
4. Coaches appointed to an age group & gender prior to 2020/21 VJBL Representative Tryouts
5. 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.”