The DVBA are excited to announce a new addition to the club, Ross Moll, who has been appointed the Head Coach of our Big V Basketball​ State Championship Men from 2017.

At the culmination of season 2016 and taking into account his new role as Assistant Coach of the Melbourne Boomers in the WNBL, Big V State Championship Men’s Head Coach, Alan McAughtry informed the club that he wished to step down from his position in the senior program.

The DVBA were quick to act in securing former Whittlesea Pacers Big V State Championship Men’s Head Coach, Ross Moll – one of the most resourceful coaches in the competition for the past decade, and highly respected by peers.

Ross has a notable Basketball background. He was once an Assistant Coach for current Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach in the NBA, Brett Brown, he has spent the past 9 years and 200 games growing the senior program at Whittlesea from a Division 1 relegation battle to competitive State Championship Men’s outfit. Ross also was awarded the Division 1 Men’s Big V Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2013, he coached the Pacers Men against Diamond Valley for a number of seasons, and was a pivotal part, along with McAughtry, in hatching the idea of the Good Friday Northern Derby where Diamond Valley and Whittlesea Men and Women play and raise money for the Good Friday Appeal.

Ross only became available a few short weeks ago, but the trouble with good coaches is that they don’t stay out of a job for too long. With our Men’s Head Coaching position becoming vacant – there was a ready-made replacement on the market that had experience, a track record and a fresh approach that is a good fit for the DV program moving forward.

‘I am excited by the opportunity that I am presented with in taking over DV's State Championship Men's team. This is a team which Alan McAughtry has built a solid foundation with over the past few seasons and I look forward to continuing that progression and taking the team to the next level’, newly appointed Head Coach Ross Moll states.

‘I am looking forward to meeting with the players in the near future and putting in place the plans for a successful 2017 season.’

Outgoing Head Coach, Alan McAughtry will not be lost to the program – as he will continue in an Assistant Coach capacity, which provides him the opportunity to contribute to the team’s growth with some flexibility.

‘Stepping away from the Head Coaching position at Diamond Valley is a bitter sweet decision for me, but the opportunity presented to me with the Melbourne Boomers is one that could not be passed up’, Alan explains.

Starting from scratch two years ago when the bulk of our senior list decided to move on or retire, I am very proud of the state of both the Senior and Youth League programs. A clear pathway and opportunity was given to some players, that was not there before, and to have the season we had has left the club ready to take the next step into a finals series.’

‘Given our start and close losses to the top teams, we feel very disappointed to not be playing in the finals right now, however we are ready to reload and aim to make it next season – something that has eluded the club for many years.
I will still be involved as an Assistant Coach and help the incoming coach and staff with anything they need, and of course support the Youth League to continue to progress the next step after having tasted finals this season.'

DVBA CEO Ross Wignell added 'It is great to have Ross Moll onboard for 2017. He is a Coach with plenty of experience and coaching in this competition for the past 3 years definitely places us well as we look to push further up the ladder.'

Ross Moll will now proceed in meeting with the Diamond Valley Big V roster to help gather information required when planning his vision for 2017 and beyond.