Bellarine Storm fires coach

BELLARINE Storm has fired Big V championship men’s coach Luke Beauglehall just six rounds into the season.

The Storm are 10th on the ladder with two wins and six losses, including five defeats in a row.

“With the team enduring a difficult start to the 2025 season, the club determined that a change in leadership was necessary to refocus and realign the program moving forward,” the club said in a statement released earlier today (Thursday, May 15).

“Luke has played a significant role in the development of our senior men’s program, serving as the inaugural head coach from our entry into the Country Basketball League (CBL) through to our elevation into Big V.

“His leadership and recruitment helped lay a strong foundation, allowing the program to establish itself quickly and successfully.”

The Storm have started the search for a new head coach and have a list of potential candidates but are not yet ready to share any names publicly.

In the interim, coaching responsibilities for the men’s team will be handled by head of high performance and champion women’s coach Tim Sanderson, women’s assistant coach David Smith and BPBA general manager Nick Stamatopoulos until a permanent appointment is made.

Beauglehall delivered the club’s first senior title, winning Division 1 in 2022 and gaining promotion to the championship division.

“We extend our sincere thanks to Luke and his family for their commitment, time, and contributions to the Bellarine Storm,” the club stated.

“He leaves a legacy as the coach who delivered our first senior title, and we wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”

Bellarine play away to RMIT University this Saturday, May 17, at 7pm in their sole game in Round 7.