NBL1 West Coaches Season Preview
As we head into our first home game this Friday night at Bendat we asked our NBL1 West Head Coaches their thoughts on the upcoming season and changes to their roster.
Craig Mansfield
It’s been a really exciting off-season and preparation so far for 2024. The group feels refreshed and energetic, and we have ramped up the intensity and competition this preseason. I’m not sure the players particularly enjoyed the early conditioning but our games to date have really shown the benefits.
After last season we wished farewell (I’m not allowed to say the retirement word) to Annika Renkema (C) and Danika Pisconeri in a playing capacity who were also part of our leadership group. This has seen Maddy Dennis nominated by her peers and step up as our new Captain and she is very capably joined by Mia Satie and Millie McCarthy as Vice Captains. We’ve also welcomed and contracted several new players to our squad for 2024; from our WABL program Alira Fotu, Libby Hutton, Jess Taylor, and Sav Metcalfe (back from the Centre of Excellence), experienced NBL1 players Eryn Fisher and Jordi Perry, import from New York / Princeton Grace Stone and Jayda Clark from the Canberra Capitals. Jayda did hurt herself in our round one game so we are wishing her the best and supporting her in recovery.
Our squad is young, but very deep and talented. We will play an exciting game style at both ends, this will include commitment to full court defence with more ball and player movement offensively. I am certain our team will compete hard, represent the club the right way and I am confident that this will show through in our results this season and the growth of our squad.
Thank you to all club members, volunteers and sponsors, we really value your support each week! Go Hawks!
Damian Barr
A new year, a new season and a new look for your Hawks Men’s NBL1 team. With the retirement of games record holder and club stalwart Ben Purser, along with Rob Cassir, Jack Isenbarger, Lewis Thomas and Daniel Alexander, Mitch Clark moving onto the east Coast and Andrew Fergurson taking a year off to rest his battle weary body the team saw just over 1,000 games of experience disappear in the blink of an eye.
A new coach with a new system and a young, eager group, the preseason started well and full of enthusiasm. A few injuries along the way but the group are coming together well. To help cover the losses we had to recruit some players to the club with Keegan Phillips returning after 2 years working on his game at another club, and big brother Luke also coming along to help us build this new, young group. They join long term club juniors in AJ Nobensi, now captain of the team, Cooper Hamilton, Harry Imison and Nick Floyd, along with NBL1 veteran now, Matt Leary and there is a great core group of young men ready to take the next step at this level. They are joined by the experienced big Man Joel Vaiangina and exciting import duo Dequan Abrom and Jaylen Key. We’re promising an exciting, uptempo style of basketball that is enjoyable to watch.
The coaching staff is also new with 19 year club member as player and coach, Trent Criddle coming on board as an assistant coach, along with former state players and BWA state team assistant coaches Matt Hughes and Leo Jusuf. Experienced, passionate basketball people all 3 will certainly help the group reach its potential.
As always, we don’t get to be the team we want to be without the tireless efforts of our volunteers and support staff behind the scenes. Lachie and the team from Ascend Physio, our NBL1 Director, Annette Nobensi and Club Administrator Jenny Purser, and all our wonderful sponsors and members. We thank you all and look forward to putting on a show for you all.
Get down to Bendat Friday night as the Hawks take on the Rockingham Flames. Tickets are available at the door and all WABL and Domestic players wearing their club colours get in FREE.
Women 6:30pm Men 8:30pm
