Posted on 13 November, 2008
Jason Knight returns to the Lady Cobras for his 4th Season on the bench after winning his first SEABL Championship as a Coach and the third for the Club in 2008. Knight knows that everyone will be chasing the Lady Cobras title in 2009 and will need to work even hard to get the team to go back to back.
Knight is excited about the prospect of defending the SEABL Women Title in 2009, “I am thrilled to be at the helm again for another season. The local playing group we have is a very good one and even with our success in 2008, remains under rated by many. Our team of 2008 were able to focus our external motivations and work well together which enabled us to gain the very much sought after SEABL crown.”
“Our goal in 2009 will be to prove to anyone who doubts this is a talented group, that 2008 was not just luck. The exciting job ahead will be to challenge the very good group of role players to raise the level of intensity and their work rate to a new level in 2009,” he said.
Knight spoke of the qualities he sees as crucial in again being in the top tier of teams in 2009, “We have stability, we have leadership, we have created an environment where players like to play, and share in each others successes and failures. As a coach I take great pride in this and look to enhance these traits again in 09.”
After eventually falling to Townsville in the ACC National Semi Final, the Lady Cobras knew they missed an opportunity to be crown National Champions with a less than ideal performance against the flames, “We will return with the bulk of the squad intact and have motivation already as we let ourselves down in the National semi final against Townsville, where we played well below our best. As I spoke to the girls after our National finals loss, good teams win SEABL titles, great teams of this league win back to back titles and consistently play in National finals, and there is the challenge for this group in 2009 and beyond,” said Knight.
Grant Wallace returns for his sixth season at the Snakepit and will be looking for a successful post season following Grand Final appearances in 2005 and 2007. In a disrupted 2008 Season the Cobras finished at 11-15 in 5th place but lost in the semi final to Hobart after the AIS withdrew from the finals.
Wallace is looking forward to the prospects of once again being at the helm in Season 2009, “I am very honoured to be given the opportunity to Coach this great Club again in 2009 and we shall be striving to replicate the great success of our Women in 2008.”
“We are working hard to secure players to best assist our endeavors and share our passion for hard work and success,” said Wallace.
Club Director of Coaching Rod Popp was pleased to finalise the coaching appointments in a timely manner. “Both Jason and Grant did an excellent job with their teams in 2008, the Club had no hesitation in extending their tenures” said Rod Popp.
“This early announcement will allow both coaches time to recruit strong rosters for 2009 which will again include a number of talented local players, the future looks bright for the Kilsyth Cobras” said Rod Popp.
Keep an eye out as the rosters take shape including the possible return of some past Cobra players. Look out for the Kilsyth Cobras in 2009 as Knight and Wallace look to lead their teams back into the finals.
For further information please visit www.kilsythbasketball.com.au
