Big V Basketball: Clubs making a series of big signings

There’s been a series of big moves across the Big V competition with one club landing its first female import. Here’s all the latest coaching and player movement.

It might be the off-season but the action is just as fast off the court for Big V Basketball clubs.

In recent weeks, clubs have been unveiling their plans for the 2023 season.

Here’s everything you need to know

Nicholson to lead Sunbury women

There’s a new pilot in charge at the Sunbury Jets with Simon Nicholson appointed the new coach of the women’s team.

Nicholson has been an assistant coach in the Sunbury program for the last five years.

“For me I plan to bring all the lessons I have been able to learn over the last five (sic) years as an assistant in the program and put them all together to get the program back to its championship winning ways of 2016-18,” he said in a statement.

Sarah Bennett has been confirmed as a Wyndham import for next season. Photo: Facebook.

Reigning premier adds scoring power

Wyndham has done its Big V Women’s Championship division premiership defence no harm with the signing of Canadian Sarah Bennett for the 2023 Big V season.

The 5’11” wing joins after time with the Toronto Varsity Blues in the Canadian college system and a stint in Germany.

“We‘re really happy that we’ve been fortunate enough to sign Sarah, who is an extremely versatile wing player who can defend multiple positions, which gives us great flexibility with our rotations,” Wyndham coach Gerard Hillier said.

It’s expected she’ll arrive in February.

Wallan makes some impressive moves

Wallan has been one of the busiest clubs in the Big V off-season after announcing a series of re-signings and new faces.

Men’s important Arcaim Lalleman is set to return to the Panthers for a second season as the club chases premiership success.

Meanwhile, Kylah Collins is set to be the club’s first female import.

Collins hails from North Chicago and averaged a double-double during her college career with Lake County.

“I’m very excited to see and explore the beautiful country also I played with two girls on my college team from Australia and they always told me to come visit, now here I come,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sarah Scott is also returning to the Panthers for her seventh season.

Sarah Scott will return to Wallan for a seventh season. Photo: Facebook.

Kylah Collins will become Wallan's first female import next season. Photo: Facebook.

McKinnon appoints new women’s coach

McKinnon will have a new coach at the helm of its women’s side next season after Paul Graham was appointed to the role.

Graham arrives with previous coaching experience at Chelsea, Knox and Sandringham.

“Paul was selected from an elite field of candidates, and in addition to his strong coaching resume, Paul’s vision and philosophies aligned strongly with McKinnon’s program vision and values,” the club said.

Adam Walsh has been reappointed as the men’s coach.

Promotion for Hume City youth coach

Tim Devlin is set to step up to the top job at Hume City after he was appointed the club’s Championship Women coach.

This year he was the club’s youth league girls coach.

“I’m very happy to take the reins (sic) of the Champ Women for 2023,” he said in a club statement.

“We have a very talented pool of Junior Broncos coming through the program, and I am very excited to continue working with them and the added talent for this upcoming season.”

Camberwell confirm coaches

Camberwell has poached Oliver Reid from fellow Big V club RMIT to lead its men’s team for next season.

Reid led the Redbacks to a 17-0 record in Division 2 in 2021 before the season was called off.

“This is an exciting opportunity to coach in the Championship division with a club that is on the rise, on and off the court,” he said.

“My goal is to create a recognised identity and style of play that our senior players can be proud of and our junior players can aspire to.”

Michael Dimattina is returning as women’s coach.

Simo Pajdic has been appointed as the new Sherbrooke men's coach.

Sherbrooke appoints new coach

Division 2 club Sherbrooke has announced the appointment of Simo Pajdic as its new men’s coach.

Pajdic joins the club from Pakenham.

New duo set to lead Altona

Altona has confirmed Jason Bryant and Josh Turton will be the new men to lead the club’s men’s program forward in 2023.

The pair are set to take charge of the Division 2 and Youth League One teams.

“We are excited about turning the club in a direction where not only does the style of play looks similar from juniors to seniors, but the players do as well,” Altona director of coaching Randy Shanklin said.