Posted on 13 September, 2019

Mark Landells’ four-year tenure as the Cobras Victorian Youth Championship (VYC) Men’s head coach has come to an end.

Landells’ impressive stint as the VYC Men’s leader comes to an end after four seasons, one which included three postseason appearances and a state championship in 2017.

Landells and the VYC Men secured playoff berths in each of the past three seasons, highlighted by their memorable state championship run in 2017 as the Cobras defeated Nunawading in an epic three game finals series. Landells’ Cobras followed their 2017 title with postseason appearances in 2018 and 2019, falling to eventual grand finalists, Eltham, in a one-point heartbreaker in 2018, and league-favourites Dandenong in this year’s first round elimination final.

While the Landells-led Cobras were postseason regulars, his success with individual player development was equally impressive. Landells’ role as a coach and mentor – both on and off the court – played a pivotal role in developing a number of collegiate players, with Jamie Ahale (Illinois Chicago), Liam Evans (Saginaw Valley State), Roberto La Morticella (Siskiyous College) and Josh Tomasi (Western Colorado) currently playing within the United States college system. A further five players under Landells’ tutelage made the jump to play minutes in the NBL1 and SEABL competitions over the past three seasons.

“Mark has been a great coach, mentor, teacher and leader to our VYC and Under 21 Men,” Kilsyth Basketball Manager of Basketball Operations, Mark Watkins said.

“He has worked very hard with the guys over the past four years in preparing them for senior basketball, and at the same time had great team success with winning a championship in 2017.”

“Mark’s experience has been a valued asset to the Cobras program and we wish him all the best in what is next in his coaching career.”

VYC Men’s Assistant Coach/Under 21 Men’s Head Coach, Gavin Meager, has also stepped down, having played an integral part in the VYC Men’s success over the past four seasons while leading the Under 20 Men to a state title in 2017.

Kilsyth Basketball would like to thank both Mark and Gavin for their contributions, dedication and success within the Cobras program over the past four years, and we wish them well with the next chapter in their coaching endeavours.