And West women I believe

Don't know about West needing new coach, but the others were all bottom 5.
Norwood would have the biggest expectations given the clubs size.
Centrals couldn't buy a championship this year and finished 2nd last, maybe the coach was told they wouldn't be spending again. Would expect mavs and tigers to be on similar budgetary constraints. But apparently most clubs spend the same amount on their women's programs as they do on their mens. That's what they say anyway.

West! Interesting. Wow! Woodville and Sturt seem
solid. Great teams and work ethic. They play well together and for each other! Norwood may be a big club However appears to be poorly managed atm! Feel
Sorry for those imports playing with such a young group that don't play for each other. You can see it on the court. Most clubs spend the same, Sturt seem to have done it well. They appear consistent and professional. Play really well together!

West! Interesting. Wow! Woodville and Sturt seem
solid. Great teams and work ethic. They play well together and for each other! Norwood may be a big club However appears to be poorly managed atm! Feel
Sorry for those imports playing with such a young group that don't play for each other. You can see it on the court. Most clubs spend the same, Sturt seem to have done it well. They appear consistent and professional. Play really well together!

I am pretty sure all clubs announce applicants for new coaches every year even if they don't plan on getting a new coach. It is just part of the process

Billington left or fired?

I can't believe all teams have same cost for Men and women programme. Surely North women’s spend more than their men’s team or they are seriously overpaying their men players

Not sure if it's "the process" or club politics! I believe it’s club politics for many and the input of money and “Parents” input!

Interesting two coaches who worked together have been announced as new Head Coaches for 2026.

Southern Tigers have announced long time assistant Dan Cahill will be taking the top job with the women.

West have won the chase for Championship Coach and ex-Lightning assistant Matt Clarke who will take over from Women's COTY Mark Billington after their disappointing straight sets crash out of this year's finals.

Matt Clarke is a incredible signing for West.

From the jobs "open" Is Clarke and Cahill the only official signings?

Do we know where Centrals, North, South, Mavs sit with their coaching hunt?

Add Forestville Womens and Woodville Womens as well

Who would want to coach these days anyway! Norwood are also looking for a coach in the Women and Men!
Good luck for whoever takes that mess over!

Practically need a promise from the club that they're going to spend big so they can be in contention.
Centrals go from Champs with a bought team to cellar dwellers within a year. Norwood won paying Wilson an alleged fortune per game to also rans.
Miss the days when teams were mainly made up of club juniors, an import/sixer/lightning player plus a recruit or two looking for a bigger opportunity. Centrals men at least have a majority of their juniors in this gf.

With one of the highly regarded coaches and player back in his day, Centrals Coach has all the right ingredients for success! Well done Centrals. Great to see Jack S doing so well at Centrals!

Most Clubs spend way to much on their NBL1 programs and it is unsustainable. SA needs to compete with other states to attract quality imports and to do so needs to pay overs.

Even Southern had 5 imports across Men and Women and spent a huge amount for no results when this money would be better spent on their Junior Program.

Our juniors aren't strong enough to just have in the NBL1 program. They should take the opportunity to learn off these great imports that come and showcase their talents. Many of them have 10 years on them. Thats lots of courtime and experience! Juniors are not ready! Might as well go watch the u/18’s then!

But how can reducing the seniors budget flow into juniors?
Reduce fees and hope families will got to a club because it's cheaper?
Pay junior coaches? Is it just div 1 coaches to attract elite players or is it across the board?
Can coaching directors attract better coaches? North tried that, brought in dream team and was complete disaster.
Have more camps/academies at a subsidised rate?
Most of the juniors play at a club because of geography, or go to a better program a little bit further. Unless a state coach is involved and brownie points are wanted or blatant poaching.

Yet most clubs continue to say no money comes from juniors and seniors are totally funded by sponsors.

At first, I thought this thread was a bit silly.

But now hearing that 9 women's coaching positions are available... that's a bit crazy. 90% of the league is available.

West got Matt Clarke but have any of the other 8 been filled?

These all seem rather strange
Vicky leaving Woodville after winning the chip seems strange.
Billington wont Coach of the Year.

If winning best coach or winning the title doesnt:
A - protect your job
B - burn you out and make you quit?

how are clubs to keep coaches?

Grote 12
I've actually heard all 10 coaches will need to be replaced, including Tim Shortt being replaced by Laura Hodges. Surely this isn’t true, understand he’s lost a few grand finals but at least he gets his team there. If true, would have to be burn out?
Shaftenaar resigned after having enough dealing with their high maintenance senior players, one family in particular. I’m sure they are now positioning mum to takeover which would assure 2 signings and the rest of the squad looking for other options.
Johnson got moved out of North after senior players threatened to walk out.
Agree, Vicki leaving Woodville is strange.
Billington being pushed out of West as a playing group threatened to mass walk-out.
Common theme with women’s basketball in South Australia, players are never happy and influence vlub decisions.

I think Valk could have had any coaching job she liked at 80% of the clubs for the past 20 years, who knows why she decided to take the Woodville job this year, would have been way more attractive positions elsewhere. And just her being there attracted players that would never have considered them before. I wonder if she does go how many go as well?
Doesn't West women have a threatened walkout every year?
Big question is who does Glenn Shaw coach next season in his quest to get a polo shirt from every club? Thinks he's had a role at Central's, South, West, North and Woodville.

How are clubs to keep their coaches?
Look after them, keep parents away from them, this is not juniors. Remove politics and money where it has an impact on players court time! Look after your best players, build your team around your senior players. Keep your senior players at the club. Respect the coaches ability and knowledge!
Players will never be happy if they are not getting their way, especially the young ones that think they know it all already! It's not always the coaches fault! Better communication!
Seriously, 90% in SA, maybe all the clubs need a good hard look at how they are running their clubs and why this is happening!
All the best for all the clubs out there! Interesting times ahead. To all the potential coaches, ask lots of questions, don’t jump into the first role that comes available! Ask lots of questions. You maybe walking into another mess! Good luck.

Player01 - in a lot of these cases it is the senior players that are the issue, undermining the coach and pointing the finger at coaching staff over their own performance.

The players threatening the club has been the common theme here.

I have heard this occurred now with Southern, West and North.

Why is this happening so much on the girls side? Surely this isnt helping to promote the girls side for coaches.

If you are a coach why would you put your hand up to coach a NBL1 Womens team in SA?
You win you get fired.
You Win an award you get fired.
If you dont win or dont win an award, the girls might go the club and say its us or them...

Soon clubs will need to find parent coaches for jnrs and NBL1 womens.

Norwood also looking for coaches for women and men!
Clubs. So difficult to coach these days. With all the politics and conflicts, I blame the boards of the clubs. What are they doing to avoid this. Most times board members have a conflict as well, ie Sturt!
There needs to be strict guidelines to protect the coaches and players fairly! To many handshakes on the side. Get rid of all that and concentrate on what the game is all about at that level!
Clubs are focussing on their young ones coming through to fill their teams, however they are just not ready for that level! They think they are but they are 5 plus years away from the level of basketball that is played at that level at the moment!
Why is this happening so much in the girls teams?
Because they have their parents going in to protect them when they are told the hard stuff! These young ones don't want to put the hard work in but expect to be playing without the effort, which can take years. That’s your problem. You can’t upset these young ones!
Too precious!

Amazing how Dotman/Herman's spelling and grammar improves when he becomes Player01

The Phantom, your wrong! How about we stick to context of the conversation!

10/10 womens coaching changes this offseason. Absolutely unheard of.

Yep it's crazy! Unheard of! What’s that saying about our society today. It’s the younger entitled generation today! Seriously, from experience, who would want to coach these days. You can’t coach unless you are dictated by the politics of the clubs. Ie "you have to play a junior because parents injected money, sponsorships, parents complaining about court time , then you have the people on the board who have a say because it concerns their families and friends etc. Its just ruined.

Blues67 agree! Experienced that scenario as well with the seniors. But the question is, how can this issue be managed! Juniors, seniors, parents, sponsors, politics, all contribute here! Maybe the board of each club need to step up! Not sure what the answer is.

Lol. Fantastic. Seems you been called out for jumping to inaccuracy in your assumptions..stick to analysing people's opinions and thought processes. Compliments to player O1 for his thoughtful discussions pointers. Always good intellectual food for thinking points.

Looks like Phantom and his best mate Glen Shaw have 10 clubs they can try sell themselves to as options for Women's NBL1 coaching combos to.

I don't know, you seem like the best candidate Nightwing, maybe have Player01/Dotman/Herman as your assistant.

Other so hillarious. Phantom you making heaps of new receptivees of your enlightments. The word according to the ghost who talks.

Sorry Nightwing, I think you have us confused. THE Phantom and Phantom are not the same person. Even check with your mate Issac on the IP address on that one. It's been a long time since I last posted on here.

Apologies Phantom, I didn't realise I took your handle, honest mistake, can confirm not the same person.
As you say I hadn't seen the name used so took it as homage to the old Tip In contributor.
Will change username.

Oh so funny. The Phantom crossed checked by Phantom. Please Phantom make sure you stay in touch.. until you reurn.

From a person that uses 3 aliases.

New username suggestion: Kit Walker.

Snap Perthworld. Or was going to use Herman/Dotman/Player01 suggestion and Ghost who talks.
But honestly getting sick of people like him/her.

Lol the zzphanton Not. Critical of alas usage when you doing it. So ironic is not it. The Phanton not. Just be The Phanton 25 and get with times or Skull Island is calling. I identify as a her man pronoun... not a he or she man.

Come on guys, let's stick to the topic and stop acting like kids.
West - Matt Clark
South - Scott Rattus
Centrals
North
Norwood
Mavs
Southern
Sturt
Forrestville
Woodville

It’s like a lucky dip!!

Laura Hodges to coach at Sturt
Southern has already announced Dan Cahill

West - Matt Clark
South - Scott Rattus
Centrals
North
Norwood
Mavs
Southern - Dan Cahill
Sturt - Laura Hodges ( not announced as yet)
Forrestville
Woodville

The Laura Hodges rumor is apparently untrue. It's interesting that multiple clubs haven't advertised.

So many games being played at the moment. That's why many coaches haven’t been announced. Criteria’s need to be met. Who will be suited to coach, what parents have inputs, board members having inputs, this list goes on. Hopefully the clubs select fairly and appropriately! We need a good competition to watch!

Player01 "So many games being played at the moment"?
What games?? the season is over.



Also is this Rattus first time doing NBL1 coaching in any form?

I know Dan is first time Head Coach, but he has assisted, MANY coaches at Southern, feels like its his turn to steer the ship.

Fantastic to see Vicki Daldy resigning if with the Warriors. Such a great coach and role model for the game. Great for warriors as well as this will draw females to the club. I'm predicting Terry-Jo for the Flames as she has been the apprentice for many years and I feel it’s time for her to step up. Like Vicky, comes with great skill, passion and knowledge for the game. I feel it’s time to let her coach, she certainly deserves the opportunity! Not sure about the other clubs. I’m predicting Vicki Kelson for North. Another great strong female role model for the girls.
West - Matt Clark
South - Scott Rattus
Centrals
North
Norwood
Mavs - Nathon Jones
Southern - Dan Cahill
Sturt - Laura Hodges ( not announced as yet)
Forrestville
Woodville - Vicki Daldy

Terry-Jo was the coach at Norwood. Players refused to play if she was head coach, which is why Will Smith did the role. They advertised and she applied. They didn't have anybody else so Will did the job, as he is the GM of NBL1 at Norwood

Actually Terry-Jo never applied for the job as head coach! The club asked her to step into the role after Derick Washington left prematurely! Richard Dickel was appointed and once again left prematurely! This is when Will Smith stepped in as (like you said) manager and needed to step in. Terry-Jo continued to assist mopping up the mess that was created time again! Terry-Jo has never applied and was happy to assist! Players don't like coaches all the time hence why we have so many available positions the season available! Players don’t want to play for Will Smith either, just ask all the imports over the last 3 years why they won’t return to Norwood! Don’t always believe what you hear!
Who ever takes over that that team at Norwood will have a challenge on their hands. Too many young ones with major attitudes!

She took over and over half the team left at the end of the season, including the captain and their only WNBL player at the time. She's a cancer who will never get a head coach job.

The attitudes are there because they have been allowed to be there, and nobody has tried to stop it. The right coach will have those girls developing into a great team - they just don't have that person yet

Denny is correct.

Sounds like you know it all then Denny Crane! I'm not here to slander coaches as many are doing it because they enjoy it. All coaches are liked or disliked and many players move because of coaches. However I can reveal more if you like but I won’t lower my self to your expectations! How many players are happy with their current coaches!!!!
The NBL1 manager of the club in question has a lot to do with the toxicity and fracture in the group. The club didn’t and hasn’t managed it properly for the last 5 years.

Interesting position to take. Constantly attacked Norwood staff and committee for the way the club is run, again here attacked the NBL1 Manager. But trying to take the high rode when proven wrong about a coach.

Just play the ball and not the man and you'd be fine mate.

Not attacking anyone like some have (as above), just stating the facts. If the club just focused on the ball and not the man as you state "Nightwing" then they wouldn't be in this mess. Play the game properly, stop being influenced by parents who are involved at the top, throwing money at the club so your kid can make the team! Parents having too much of an input and the club allow it! NBL1 manager needs to just manage the NBL1, not have multiple roles that they can’t handle all at once! Years ago players were in the team because of their talent, work ethic, commitment etc etc. these days it’s so different! Play the game properly I say, work hard and earn your spot! That’s how it should be done!

Tom Guntrip announced as Centrals coach and Georgia Crouch North Adelaide

would Kerryn Mitchell stay in Adelaide and coach an NBL 1 team in the WNBL off season ? or too busy / NZ duties ?

Mangers life blud of clubs. Need to keep them happy. Forwd wth Nrwd. Need coach like Scotty too hotty. Bring champions culture. Or get Erin phillps, plyr/coach. open up flamez war chest and replace teh wingers. Culture is key. Get flamz sizzn agian, sizzle sizzle. Red n blu alwayz tru. be like frstville, champs on offf court.

lol DOtman, agree culture is key, need a good burn off of people at the top to go forwd with norwd, their going backwards at the moment, lol, relight the flame, culture starts from the top! NWD will be spending big this next season to look good again, they'll be burning a big hole in their budget. Lots of sizzling! lol. Great to see Georgia back. Hope she has a good season at North! Hope they look after her there!

And replace these people at the top with who? Change for the sake of change is why all 10 clubs and BSA are so un-skilled and lacking real leadership and experience. The best basketball minds in SA are gone from the game.

If you're so convinced that change is needed you must have someone in mind.

With Georgia Crouch taking the North job does that just leave Norwood and Forestville as the vacant women's coaching jobs?

Strong rumour is that Maddy Freer is headed to North to join her former coach.

Is Hodges still taking over at Sturt or Tim Shortt going again?

Nightwing agree - some just want surround themselves with yes people.
Is change just a flex of individuals power from within ?

Great to hear the coaching announcements are progressing!

Word on the street is that the Southern men's role has had three applicants turn it down after interview stage.

100% agree Nightwing, "the best basketball minds" are no longer around. If the clubs looked after these people over the years then they might still be around.
+ definitely power within. This is the issue. Too much power. Too many handshakes and too many parents with their own agenda. Stomp that type of corruption out and listen to your members more. The club is bigger than one person!
Great to see some player movement. If they want to follow a club then that's a good sign of a coach!

I'm glad you agree, but you are also the one pushing that someone who is an Ex-NBL1 player and coach, as well as coached internationally, should be replaced. You also ignored the point, who do you bring in if you do a clean sweep?

Your opinions on why basketball minds have left the game, are at odd with most of my understanding. In fact you are proposing the members voices all be heard. They'll have 1000s of different positions, opionions, demands. All from a very specific point of view. It's like the fallacy that the customer is always right. They're not, they are in fact normally wrong as they have no concept of what is actually involved, just their own experience at the end of the line.

Listening to the members would push more basketball people out, as you're ignoring their experience and knowledge in place of a mum or dad.

The one SA example of a dynasty was built because the committee and members stayed out of the way and allowed the basketball person to run the basketball program. 20+ years of success resulted, and the club even now is benefiting off the brand he created.

I'd argue in the complete opposite of you. Clubs should pay money to employ the best minds in the game that they can, and then butt out and let bring the success that their experience and knowledge put them in the best position to do.

Thinking clubs too keen on razzle dazzle fixation to not be prepared to go the hard yard tasks of building nutiring. Not to get structures in place is key to success. Success is result of belief and staying true to the course. Get best coach for program and then built with the cattle to challenge and upgrade. Stability.

Nightwing, just because a coach has all those credentials doesn't make them a good coach. We’ve seen many coaches over the years with "credentials" that have failed to connect with their team. In recent years Norwood have had 2 coaches with “credentials”that only lasted half the season. 1 brilliant men’s coach that you couldn’t afford to keep so he left. Credentials are only a part of the requirement of a decent coach! Secondly I’m not suggesting a clean sweep! However if you want to acknowledge yourself as a large dynasty then you need to put the right people in place and operate as a large professional organisation.
Thirdly, I’m allowed my opinion, everyone is entitled to their opinion. You don’t have to like it. This is a forum to have a chat with other fellow concerned members of basketball. I agree maybe too many members if there’s 1000 of them. I’m glad there’s a select few that get heard though and get want they want!


Dotman, 100%. Keep your good coaches and build your cattle around them! Less razzle dazzle!

who is the 1 brilliant mens coach they couldnt afford to keep and where are they coaching now?

You are entitled to your opinions as am I.

But opinions aren't facts. They are very different.

I didn't mention coaches at all. I mentioned basketball minds, of which the person you have targeted at the one club you have targeted has experience in the game I've mentioned, plus a lot more I haven't.

I'm not saying he's a guru, I'm saying getting rid of him might not be the solution. 1) if he isn't to blame. 2) if there isn't a better option to replace him.

From the outside I'd say straight away that Norwood appear not to be all about their NBL1 program like some other clubs are. They certainly don't spend anywhere near the biggest spenders in SA. That has a lot of impact not just on who you can attract to play at the club but also who you can attract to coach.

You clearly have a lot of issues with the way Norwood is run. Sounds like you should go elsewhere, although I feel like you'd have issues everywhere you went.

This thread seems to be dead now but just for those maybe wanting a update

Central
Women - Tom Guntrip

Eastern
Women - Nathon Jones

North
Women - Georgie Crouch

South
Women - Scott Ratus

Southern
Men - Ing Lau
Women - Dan Cahil

West
Women - Matt Clarke

Woodville
Resigned both coaches

So we don't know:
Forestville Women
Norwood Men and Women
Sturt Men and Women

36ers assistant Jakob Dorricott is Sturts mens coach and despite the rumours Sturt have re-signed 3 time grand final coach Tim Shortt. A rare case of plenty of smoke, no fire on that one.

I think Sturt will be expecting big seasons from both teams.

Following! Thanks for the update!
Sturt will have a great season no doubt with that calibre of players and coaches. It will be interesting to see who Forestville get. They will need a strong coach in that position. Apparently Norwood are looking for a new look both men and women. Hope they get what they are looking for!
Best of luck for the teams and coaches for the season ahead.

So it feels like Sturt just fired up the time machine and said, "Hey, remember the SturtySixers days? Let's bring that back." Not sure that’s the smartest move—you’re telling me Rigoni wasn’t available? Watching J Dub coach last season was like déjà vu from his Sixers playing days, and not in a good way. The guy somehow fumbled his way into a head coaching gig without showing any actual talent. That’s like if the Knicks hired Eddy Curry to run player development—how did we get here?

Now, Forestville... man, calling it a “team that needs a strong coach” is like calling the Titanic “a boat that needed a sturdier hull.” They don’t need a strong coach—they need The Mountain from Game of Thrones plus a degree in group psychology and maybe a couple favors from the basketball gods. Whoever takes that job is going to need more than X’s and O’s, they’re going to need divine intervention.

And what the hell is going on with Norwood? After last year’s implosion they don't need to just hit reset, they need to slam it into reverse like they’re auditioning for Fast & Furious: EuroLeague Drift. For a club with arguably the deepest junior talent pool, their senior squad is allergic to success lately. They need to open the war chest—like now. Maybe dust off the Rolodex, call up Cooper, and see if he wants one last run at glory. And if Connor Henry somehow ends up with the gig, you already know what’s coming: “You’re over-dribbling, you’re over-dribbling, you’re over-dribbling—AND YOU’RE NOT EVEN F***ING PLAYING!”

Then there’s Andy with the Eagles men… what’s the master plan there? Has he got anything new up his sleeves, or his jorts? You’re telling me there’s a world where Bryce Cotton takes a pay cut to suit up for them? That’s like asking DiCaprio to star in your indie student film for free pizza and IMDb credit. If Andy couldn’t pull it off with last year’s roster, maybe it’s time to acknowledge the writing on the wall. Sometimes you just gotta know when to fold the tent and head home.

would be great to see Kerryn Mitchell stay in Adelaide and coach a NBL 1 team - Forestville women ?

she'll head home no doubt. silly call.

From Norwood Flames announcing their NB1 Women's head coach.

"Big news! We're absolutely delighted to announce Matthew Hunt as our new Women’s NBL1 Head Coach!

Following an extensive evaluation process, we're certain Matthew is the perfect leader to drive our program to new heights.

Matthew brings 30+ years of basketball experience and 15+ years of high-level coaching in Australia and overseas. Recently an NBL1 North assistant coach, he blends old-school discipline with modern basketball insight. As a former point guard, he excels at reading plays and creating mismatches.

His diverse coaching experience spans junior to elite levels, including individual training and wheelchair basketball, giving him a unique perspective on inclusive team building. Matthew's philosophy focuses on fostering positive culture through hard work and continuous learning, while developing a fast-paced, attacking style that pressures defensively and aggressively attacks the rim."