Coaching change and junior rise: Double Dribble

Double Dribble is back with all your latest Gold Coast basketball news.

DOUBLE Dribble is back with all your latest Gold Coast basketball news.

JOIN UP AND PLAY

Competitions are starting up for the new year for juniors. The two associations on the Gold Coast have a lot of information on their websites for you to view yourself.

GOLD COAST (CENTRAL AND SOUTH)

Aussie Hoops starts at Carrara tomorrow. Various other junior development programs will be starting this week as well. The winter competition will be starting Feb 26, 28 and 29 for grading.

Details for all junior clubs and program can be found at www.goldcoastbasketball.com.

SEAHAWKS (NORTH GOLD COAST)

Under-8 Mini ball starts tomorrow at Coomera Indoor. Clubs will still have places available for the Term 1 season. Full details including registration links can be found at seahawksbasketball.com.au.

For the under-10 to 20s competition, Seahawks are halfway through the summer season. The winter season will commence at the beginning of Term 2 with registration opening around the end of February. Stay tuned to seahawksbasketball.com.au for further details.

NEW COACH

This just in! North Gold Coast Seahawks have signed Tom Haupt as their new Head Coach for their men’s QSL team. After two years at the helm, Adam Tyrus has had to step down from the role due to family and work commitments. Tyrus is Basketball Director at Saint Stephens and will have more time to focus on their emerging program. It’s a shame to see one of the Seahawk’s foundation members have to step down. Tyrus, who grew up in the nest and ended up as the head coach is looking forward to spending time with his young family.

Seahawks GM, Dwayne Vale, wasted no time in appointing his successor, with the very experienced Haupt. Having over 37 years’ experience coaching in the United States, Coach Haupt moved to Australia about 6 years ago and coached an extremely successful SBL Men’s program that marched to the finals every year, but fell agonisingly short of winning a title even with the talents of pin-up boys, Jaze ‘The future’ Morris and James Whitby. Whitby once scored 100 points in a backwater league and had the best looking shoulders in the business, bar none.

Haupt, is known for his unrelenting style of coaching and will squeeze every bit of talent out of his troops. Asked what he thought drew the Seahawks to appointing him as Head Coach, Coach Haupt responded, ‘my attitude about one thing, winning championships. I want to be a part of something bigger within this club so when we look back in 5-7 years, we can see additional championship banners hanging from the rafters. And, we’re celebrating a strong and successful program.”

Personally, I’m looking forward to the $800 suits and heart on his sleeve that coach Haupt wears.

Taking the women’s role for the QSL Seahawks is Paula Jansen. Jansen, was involved with the senior program last year and has an impressive resume, having assistant coached at the Centre of excellence women’s team at the AIS. Hopefully young gun Katie Deeble will get another year at the Nest, but I would think it unlikely for her to not be playing at the NBL1 level.

The Seahawks had great success in the SBL, could we see another dynasty in the newly formed QSL?