The SBA would like to send it’s best wishes to our Womens/Girls Director of Coaching Rachael Vanderwal and Sandringham Sabres Womens Co-Captain Eilidh Simpson as they quickly approach an exciting new chapter of their lives with the addition of a baby girl.
Rachael, your hard work and commitment to ensuring our Womens/Girls program ran smoothly for the 2023/2024 season has been greatly appreciated. While we will miss your presence, we are excited for you to enjoy this special time with your growing family and look forward to you returning to the SBA at some time in the near future. The SBA will ensure a smooth transition within the organisational structure of the basketball department in your absence and on your return. Our vision at the SBA is to be a recognised and respected basketball association where our people feel included and proud to belong. In line with our pillars for success and the SBA values, we are committed to the growth and excellence of the Association.
In the meantime and to continually enhance the management of our expanding basketball programs, we felt now was the time to introduce two new roles to the SBA: Head of Program Director of Coaching (HPDOC) and Assistant Program Director of Coaching (APDOC). These roles are designed to streamline our coaching operations, provide additional support to our staff and coaches, and to ensure a high standard of player development.
The SBA would like to congratulate and officially announce the following structural changes that will occur within the association in order to fulfill the positions effectively.
- Head of Program Director of Coaching (HPDOC) – Simon Giovannoni: Simon has worked on both sides of the Sabres program for the last 8 years and will continue to bring forth his basketball expertise and experience to the SBA. The SBA will continue to foster the Assistant DOCs pathway for the upcoming 2025 season.
- Assistant Program Director of Coaching (APDOC) – Evan Vallance: Evan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise and has proven his importance within the Association in his current role as Assistant DOC Mens/Boys in the 2023/2024 season. Evan will report directly to Simon.
- James McQuellin will make the move over to the Assistant DOC Mens/Boys program whilst leaving a job vacancy with the Assistant DOC Womens/Girls position. The SBA will now be taking applications to fill this position (please see link below)
We believe these changes will significantly contribute to the effectiveness of our programs and hold the SBA in good stead as we continue to grow in the coming years.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to build and refine our basketball community.