Slammers re-appoint coaches

Following comprehensive interviews with the Review Panel, Basketball South West has moved quickly to offer the 2011 SBL Coaching positions to Carl Catalano (Men) and Russell Upton (Women)

“Carl did an excellent job this year with the Men SBL team having taken over as Coach only three days before the start of the 2010 season,” Chairperson Steve Hawkins commented.

“He took over a very underprepared and undermanned team. To his credit, Carl not only increased the playing squad numbers during the season, he also settled them into playing good team basketball. The final win of the season was reward for the tough season and the work that he and the players have put in for the Club.” Hawkins said.

“Carl now deserves the opportunity to fully plan and prepare the Slammers Men for 2011. He will have time to recruit squad members and have them familiar with his coaching philosophies and game plans. As a relatively young coach at this level, Carl has a very good understanding of basketball as well as the enthusiasm and drive to take the team back towards the top.”

Russell Upton was also quick to accept the opportunity to have another year at the helm of the Slammers women. The Board was impressed by the progress Russell made with his team during the 2010 season though perhaps to the public this was not reflected in the number of wins.

“Russell is a very experienced coach and his understanding of the game is as good as any in the league,” Hawkins commented.

“The huge benefit that Russell brings is that he is very well respected by everyone within the women’s program. He has already undertaken his own review of the 2010 season with all players and is moving ahead with suggestions from the playing group as to how to improve the performances of the team in 2011,” said Hawkins.

Both Upton & Catalano have been offered one year contracts.

Basketball South West is being proactive in moving quickly with planning for 2011. This Saturday 21 August the club will host an ‘SBL Forum’ which is open to everyone who is interested in the senior Slammers teams. The agenda will include all aspects, both on-court and off-court, of running a successful State League program with the view to formulating a three year Business Plan.

Club Chairman Steve Hawkins stated that “It was important for the Club to have a framework on which to set priorities and goals for the future.

It should be stressed that winning is not the most important immediate goal that the club can set. Everything that we do must work towards a sustainable future for the Slammers. The Club has very successful junior and development programs and we will now focus on how the senior program can offer further opportunities for elite participants.

Success can be measured in lots of ways and being competitive with the right environment for our players and the Club is very important. Winning a premiership is the bonus that all the basketball community can share but it can only happen if we are all on the same page and working together.”

The Forum begins at 10.00am at Eaton Recreation Centre with the basketball community encouraged to come along and contribute to the discussions.

Steve Hawkins 0417185077
Carl Catalano 0427917411
Russell Upton 0417094186

Article by Basketball Southwest

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