Dynamic duo: Coach Ivinson and McCarthy-Grogan to lead Darwin Salties NWBL side again
A local hero has returned as the Darwin Salties gear up for another exciting NWBL season under the leadership of coach Jason Ivinson.
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After a championship-winning season the Darwin Salties has announced that Jason Ivinson will return as the club’s National Wheelchair Basketball League (NWBL) coach for the upcoming season.
The Salties announced the Ivinson re-signing on Thursday with Darwin Basketball Association executive officer Kerri Savage saying it was an easy decision.
“We are delighted to welcome back Ivo as Head Coach of the Darwin Salties wheelchair program,” she said.
“He is building something special with this group of individuals, and we’re excited to see what the season has in store. “
Ivinson himself said it was a no-brainer to come back on board as the Salties NWBL coach.
“I’m overwhelmed with the opportunity,” he said. “I have always been heavily involved in basketball, I am a life member and all of that sort of stuff up here.
“Basketball has been an opportunity that has allowed me to see the world as a player, coach and referee and I’m lucky in that way.
“But yeah, this is just a great opportunity and there’s just so much potential for us to continue to do big things for the sport here.”
Ivinson said the team was set up for another year of success in a bigger and more competitive competition this season.
“We are looking pretty good,” he said. “Obviously, we had a really good year last year.
“We’re really excited that this season, we’re going back to playing home and away rounds. That’s something that didn’t happen last year, because it was only the four teams.
“As such, we just went straight to finals and obviously it was still a thrill of winning, that was awesome for the guys.
“But yeah, we’re really excited for this year and the seven team comp.”
The club has also announced their first player signing of the off-season with the return of local star Clarence ‘CJ’ McCarthy-Grogan to the side.
Coach Ivinson couldn’t be happier with the return of arguably his most important player.
“We are so excited to welcome CJ back with the Salties for a third year,” he said.
“He is a natural leader, and a very dynamic and versatile athlete on the floor. Time and again he has proven his ability to create advantageous situations out of nowhere, and was vital to our success at the 2023 National Championships.
“His love and commitment to the Darwin and NT wheelchair basketball community is evident, and I’m looking forward to seeing him run it back with this group.”
The seven men’s teams including the Darwin Salties are 2022 champs the Wollongong Roller Hawks, the Perth Wheelcats, Queensland-based Southern District Spartans, the Adelaide Thunder, the Red Dust Heelers based in Victoria and the Manly Wheel Eagles.
The NWBL season will begin on June 15, with more Salties player signings to come across the next few weeks.
A schedule announcement will also be made in the future.
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