Ipswich Basketball Club is delighted to announce it’s coaching staff for the coming season.
After the 2019/2020 season was cut short, the coming season has understandably been clouded with uncertainty. However, the club has moved heaven and earth to provide elite level basketball this coming season, and will be offering National League at ever age group that Basketball England provides.
In addition to running teams in every age group, the club is one of only two in the whole country who will be able to offer ‘premier’ competition in every available junior league, a fantastic achievement and advert for the development work that Ipswich Basketball Club does for its members.
In a significant reshuffle of coaching staff from last season, the u12 boys will be headed up by first year coach Danny Manning, who begins his national league coaching career with the clubs youngest age group. We have another first year head coach working with the u14 boys, as Ben Scarlett takes the reigns, making the step up after two great seasons working as an assistant coach in the junior boys programme. The u16 boys will be led for a second year by Jack Goodrich while the u18’s will be led by the coaching tandem of Adam Robinson and Lewis Barker. Coach Robinson will be the lead coach of this team, however his priority will be his role as the Senior Men’s Head Coach, meaning Barker will often be the u18’s play-caller at the weekend. Coach Robinson continues in his capacity as senior men’s head coach, after a hugely successful first season at the senior level.
On the women’s side, the u12’s will again be led by Liz Thurlow, who led the team to an impressive regional title last year. Craig Douglass takes the reigns at u14 level, making the switch from u14 boys to girls in the same age group. The u16 girls had an impressive season in 19/20 in Coach Kev Manning’s first season stepping up to the u16 level, and with the team that finished as national runners up two seasons ago in u14’s reunited, the season ahead is an exciting prospect. The club is back in the u18 women’s competition too. Last season we entered the cup and were victorious, but made the choice to not enter the league. However, this season will be competing in league play, with Coach John Yorke stepping up from the u14 age group to take the reigns of a talented group. Finally, returning for his fourth season with the senior women is Club Head Coach Nick Drane, who will be aiming to lead his team to another national title this season.
“I’m so happy that we are able to offer so much basketball this season. We are able to cater for the best kids in the area at every age group, and I’m really happy with that. We have a really committed and talented group of coaches this season, with a range of experience from Danny in his first year, to Adam who has amassed so much experience over the last five years. It’s going to be a great season.” Said Club Head Coach Nick Drane.
Drane added “We wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for the clubs amazing volunteer base, led by Matt Little, who has done so much to enable us to get these teams on the court”.
Provisional fixtures have been sent to clubs, and will be released shortly. However, we are delighted to announce the opening game of the season will be at HQ, and will feature our National Champion women playing host to Thames Valley Caverliers.