U16 Women Coaching Staff Appointments

   basketballscotland are pleased to announce that the coaching staff for the 2011/2012 season have been finalised.

   Following a successful year in 2011, continuity is key and the coaching staff contracts from last year have been extended as we work towards the FIBA European Championships in July 2012.

   Luis J. Romero (Polonia Phoenix) will continue as Head Coach. Luis is currently the Head Coach of Polonia Phoenix U18 Women who he led to the Scottish Cup Finals last season. Romero has had a prolific career spanning over two decades. He has coached various National League teams across Europe and has spent a season coaching the U14 Girls Spanish National Team in 2000/01. After the challenges (and many successes) last year with both the U16 and U15 Scotland National Teams Luis will be leading the coaching staff again this year.  Luis’s vast experience, knowledge and passion will be priceless to both players and coaches alike in their campaign towards Gibraltar 2012.  

   David Evans (Glasgow Rocks) will remain as Assistant Coach. For several seasons Dave has worked with the Glasgow Rocks U16 National League Team. Dave’s tireless determination and resolute knowledge of this age group and the women’s game will be invaluable to the team.  His experience competing in Europe with the U14 and U16 National Teams in 2011 will also be extremely important as we face further stiff competition on the continent this coming year.  

   Louise Gillespie (Polonia Phoenix) will be the team’s Physiotherapist and second Assistant Coach. basketballscotland’s newly named ‘Young Volunteer of the Year’ makes a step up this season and will use her experience with Polonia Phoenix U18s and her UKCC Level 2 coaching award to assist Evans and Romero. Louise also has a BSC (Hons) in Physiotherapy and was absolutely key throughout last year’s U16 Spanish trip offering treatment regarding any injuries sustained and aiding with the physical recovery of the team after each game.

   Joanne Holmes (Stirling Knights) will continue as Team Manager. Jo’s excellent communication, logistical and organisational skills contributed massively to last year’s U15 and U16 National Squad successes. Jo demonstrated a real rapport with all the players and parents and was at the forefront of many a fundraising campaign. In addition, Jo has an extensive knowledge of the game, coaching with Stirling Knights U14 Girls, Stirling University Women and on the Central Future Starz programme.

   Catriona McCready (Highland Bears) will be the Team’s sports psychologist. Cat has an MSc in Performance Psychology and has worked with several female elite athletes including cyclists, footballers and rugby players. Cat has also had the opportunity to develop relationships with many of the players already due to her active role with the U15 National Team last season in Copenhagen.   

   These five active members, who represent four different regions, are extremely excited to be working together as a small team again this year.  However they are just a small part of a massive operation driven by the basketballscotland performance team who will help the U16 National Team players to improve and develop throughout the whole season.