Sabres first team coaches for 2021

After an interrupted 2020 which saw community and representative basketball shut down for 2020, the Sabres junior coaching directors are pleased to announce their first team coaches for 2021.

Both Nathan Crosswell and Simon Giovannoni have been working hard behind the scenes to secure the talents of their junior coaching panels.

“The coaches we have appointed are all really good leaders and positive role models for the players they are coaching. They bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to their roles and we look forward to working with them closely”, said Crosswell. The Sabres Boys program sees the return of Steve Lunardon (18.1 Boys), Andy Lim (16.1 Boys) and Evan Vallance (14.1 Boys) and the elevation of Mike McInnes from 12.3 Boys to 12.1 Boys.

The Sabres Girls program sees returning faces Jacqui O’Neill (18.1 Girls), Erik Wickstrom (14.1 Girls) and Cal Charge (12.1 Girls) as well as the elevation of long-time Sabre Cassie Hill to 16.1 Girls. “We’re lucky to have the coaches we have in our girls program. We have playing depth in each age group and we’re looking forward with real excitement to the 2021 VJBL season, whatever it happens to look like”, said Giovannoni.

Giovannoni added: “2020 has been a challenging year for everyone in metropolitan Melbourne with the extended lockdown forcing everyone to adapt and find different ways to push through, particularly community sport. After such a long time out of basketball, both Nathan and I are really positive about getting out there on court with our coaches and players. We’re both thoroughly sick of doing everything virtually via Zoom, so the idea of getting back to Tulip street is really exciting! We’ve spent a lot of time planning and preparing for what basketball looks like at the SBA post COVID. Fingers crossed we are able to get on court for tryouts soon”.

2021 Sabres Girls program

12.1 Girls – Cal Charge

14.1 Girls – Erik Wickstrom

16.1 Girls – Cassie Hill

18.1 Girls – Jacqui O’Neill

2021 Sabres Boys Program

12.1 Boys – Mike McInnes

14.1 Boys – Evan Vallance

16.1 Boys – Andy Lim

18.1 Boys – Steven Lunardon

Please stay tuned to our website and social media platforms for updates as restrictions in Melbourne are eased and we have a clearer pathway towards the resumption of indoor basketball at the SBA.

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