New coaches take the reigns

BASKETBALL Ballarat has revealed who will helm its youth league men’s and women’s teams.

Former Bacchus Marsh women’s CBL coach Grace Bibby and former assistant coach at the youth men’s team Kyle Slack will step up into the roles for the upcoming season.

Bibby, who has previously worked with the junior Miners program, said she is excited to be back in Ballarat.

“I loved my time here as a junior player and coaching VJBL a few years ago,” she said. “It’s great to see those girls I coached then are still playing and vying for spots in the youth league team.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of coaching at a higher level and I can’t wait to work with Dave Herbert, his assistant coaches, and the Basketball Ballarat team to continue to grow the women’s program and also as an individual.”

Slack takes over the head coach position of the youth men after helping guide the team towards a finals position last year, before the season was cancelled due to COVID-19.

“I’m really happy to be back with the Miners program this year and stoked to be able to take on the head coach position,” he said.

“We are forming a really solid squad with a lot of exciting young talent so to have the opportunity to coach and develop this team is a huge opportunity that I can’t wait to jump into.

“Last year was a tough year with COVID however the squad was still able to have some really good success throughout the year and we will look to build upon that in 2022.”

Both teams will tip off the Big V Youth League on Saturday, 26 March at Selkirk Stadium, with the women facing Altona at 6pm and the men taking on Keilor at 8pm.