The Central Coast Academy of Sport ClubsNSW Basketball Program has made history, not in the sense of athlete achievements but rather, a first of its kind for Regional Academies specific to the coaches involved in the CCAS basketball program.
Each of the NSW Men’s State Basketball Teams are headed up by CCAS Basketball Coaches; Tim Hudson was the recent Head Coach of the NSW U20 team who secured Silver at the National Championships in Bendigo last month, Matt Johnston is the Head Coach of the NSW Country U18 Men’s team who are in the final stages of preparation for their National Championship in April and Will Granger the current Head Coach of the CCAS program, is the Head Coach of the NSW Country U16 Men’s team preparing for Nationals in July.
CCAS administration believes this is the first time such a situation has occurred and while often the CCAS focuses on the important development work done for athletes it is evident that the coaching pathway is alive and well at the Central Coast Academy of Sport.
Mark Tipple the CCAS Programs and Communications Coordinator said of this achievement: “It’s a great reflection of the standard of our coaching staff to achieve a feat like this. Will and Matt, while still young have worked with the CCAS for years and have developed into fine coaches. For our athletes to have access to Tim’s knowledge and experience is highly beneficial for them to develop their game and progress up the basketball pathway.”
Tim Hudson the Head Coach of the NSW U20’s who achieved Silver at the final step in the junior pathway said of his team’s performance: “I’m super proud of the boys, it was a tremendous experience with a great group of young men. We came together over the week to beat the undefeated Victorians in the Semi Final who have won the Gold the last seven straight years. In the final, we led for most of the game and we won all the possession categories putting ourselves in a position to win, unfortunately our shots didn’t drop on the day, so it was a valiant effort that left me very proud of their efforts”.
Matt Johnston’s NSW Country U18 Men’s will compete at the National Championships in Bendigo. Matt said of the team’s prospects: “I’m looking forward to coaching this group. Our goal is to control the controllable and take on each challenge as it comes. If we perform the way we should, anything is possible at Nationals”.
