BREMER State High School teacher Brad George has been appointed the new Ipswich Force women’s basketball coach for the 2011 Queensland Basketball League (QBL) season.

Last year’s coach Trish Cockrem, who guided the women’s team to the semi-finals for the first time in several seasons, no longer wanted to coach the team because she felt fresh ideas were needed.

George coached the women’s D League (reserve grade) team last season and also coaches the Bremer State High women’s basketball team.

George said he was excited at facing the biggest challenge of his fledgling coaching career.

“I like seeing players develop, that’s what I like the most about the job,” George said.

“I love the game of basketball and I’ve been involved in it all my life.

“I heard the job was available so I thought why not put my hat in the ring.

“I would like to coach full time one day but there’s probably not enough money around for me to do that.

“You have to work your way up from somewhere though and I think this will be a big challenge.”

George formerly played for the Ipswich Force men’s team for one season in the QBL earlier this decade.

A sharp point guard in his prime, George also played QBL for Logan for several seasons.

Former Ipswich Force men’s coach and club stalwart Terry Lindeberg will be George’s assistant.

“I wanted someone who had a lot of experience to help me and Terry is certainly that,” George said.

The Force club is negotiating with two WNBL players to sign for the Force next season.

“We need a six foot-plus player and hopefully if one of these WNBL players signs on, I think we will have a good squad,” George said.

“We have two players from this year’s team, Vicki Foran and Amber Bartels, that will not return because they are retiring, but otherwise I think just about everyone will be back.”

But one of the Force stars who is still undecided about returning is their main scorer from last season, Rebecca Stephens.

“I think she wants to, it just depends on circumstances for her and whether she can commit,” George said.

Earlier this year, Cockrem, a former Olympian, made a commitment that she would retire from the position after a three-year stint if the Force women did not win the competition.

“I think three years is a good time and then get some new blood in, get some new ideas in,” she said.

“I have had a great time with the girls and we have had good results but it would be right for me to step aside and let someone else apply their game plans to the team.”

George will begin putting their pre-season fitness training together this Sunday, but official pre-season training will not begin until early next year.

Article - The Queensland Times