Posted on 24 November, 2020

Sam Woosnam has called it a day at Kilsyth, stepping aside as NBL1 Cobra Women’s head coach.

The championship-winning head coach will take a break from the NBL1 Women’s competition in 2021, putting an end to a stellar six-year stint with the Cobras.

“I have really enjoyed my past six years at Kilsyth,” Woosnam said.

“We would have loved to defend our NBL1 title in 2020, but unfortunately due to COVID that didn’t eventuate.  I feel now is the right time for me to move on to some other challenges and opportunities in my coaching career.”

Woosnam finishes her tenure at Kilsyth as one of the club’s most successful coaches, compiling an astonishing 102-32 record from 2014-2019 as she built the Cobra Women’s program into an NBL1 powerhouse. She led the Cobras to back-to-back SEABL championship game appearances in 2015 and 2016, and final four appearances in 2017 and 2018 to round out an incredible five year streak in the SEABL.

In 2019, the Cobras joined the NBL1, a league featuring an abundance of top-tier talent and remarkable depth. Navigating a number of in-season challenges, Woosnam’s leadership shone above all, as she led the Cobras to the inaugural league championship following an improbable postseason run. The Cobras playoff run saw them take down the 19-1 Bendigo Braves on the road, then a talented Nunawading Spectres team at home, before completely dominating the 19-3 Geelong Supercats – a team featuring a trio of Australian Opals – in the title game. Woosnam’s brilliance saw her take home the 2019 Basketball Victoria Female Coach of the Year award; an award she also won in 2016.

Reflecting on her time at Kilsyth, Woosnam is appreciative of the support and environment she was able to thrive in, and ultimately grow into one Australia’s brightest young coaching talents.

“I want to thank management, the Board and the wider Kilsyth Community for all of the support during my time with the Cobras,” Woosnam said.

“It really is a great family environment and I am grateful that my family became a part of that. I leave with very fond memories.”

Whilst Woosnam enjoyed unrivalled success during her time at Kilsyth, she was quick to point to the staff and players she surrounded herself with to help her excel on the sidelines.

“I have to say a big thank you to the players and support staff – both past and present – that I was fortunate to work with; you all in some way shaped the coach I am today,” the former WNBL star lamented.

“We experienced great success with the senior women’s program and I hope that success continues.”

Though she has stepped aside as the leader of the Cobra Women, Woosnam will continue to serve the club away from the court, having recently joined the Kilsyth Basketball Match Committee.

Kilsyth Basketball would like to thank Sam for her outstanding service and contributions to our Cobra program and wish her well with her future coaching endeavours.