Ryan Rogers has been appointed the new coach of the Pakenham Warriors BIG V and MMBL mens teams. Picture: BIG V
PAKENHAM Warriors basketball team will have a new coach in 2013 with the announcement Ryan Rogers would take on the challenging task of rebuilding and pushing the Warriors out of last place.
Rogers arrives at Pakenham after a successful 2012 campaign at Blackburn where he guided their BIG V Youth Championship Men to a top two finish (16-6) before bowing out in the preliminary final in their maiden season.
Rogers brings a wealth of experience serving as an assistant coach to Melbourne Tigers NBL legend Warrick Giddey within the Werribee BIG V Championship Men’s program between 2004-08 before spending time in Perth coaching in the Western Australia Basketball League.
“I’m really excited at the potential of building something from the ground up,” Rogers said.
“The club is quite raw within BIG V circles but with a dedicated administration in place and great community support we are going to raise the expectations internally.”
As for what his style will be, Rogers said that the team would be structured so they can overcome adversity but won’t rely on individuals to ultimately dictate the win column.
“It’s about the process and playing a brand of basketball that can win games in March as well as August. We will put a real emphasis on half court execution and more importantly building confidence
so the camaraderie is strong.”
In addition to taking the BIG V Men program, Rogers will also head up the Warriors Men’s squad in the MMBL commencing in a fortnight.
“Ryan brings a real understanding of the challenge but with his experience and enthusiasm, he is the ideal guy to lead us going forward.” Pakenham and District Basketball Association president Craig Magrath said.
“We’re looking forward to the bigger picture which extends beyond the court as we strive to build on healthy home-game attendances by getting active in the public with our marketing and promotion whilst engaging strongly with our junior program.”
In another great announcement for the Warriors, Magrath confirmed that Leon Stapley, the former Warrior who took up the mantle of coaching half-way through this season, would step aside from coaching to make a return to the playing roster.
“Leon was our first choice,” Magrath said. “Then we had Ryan coming in and Leon was happy to let Ryan take over as coach so he can make his return as a player,” Craig Magrath said.
Rogers’ attention now turns to tryouts, which will be announced in the coming weeks with player signings.
