Basketball Australia is delighted to announce that the Ford Aussie Hoops Coach of the Year is Stephanie Fitzgerald from Wyndham Basketball Association, Victoria.
This recognition is fitting for the young coach who has made a dedicated and passionate impact for participants and the wider community through the Ford Aussie Hoops program in the outer South-West of Victoria.
"We were particularly impressed by Stephanie's coaching skill set and her commitment to providing a welcoming, inclusive and fun program that instils a love of the game and ongoing participation,” said Linda Woods, Participation Officer - Basketball Victoria.
“Delivering excellent programs across diverse groups and receiving praise and recognition from participants, parents and their respective coaching teams were noted too.”
James Welsh, Participation Coordinator at Wyndham Basketball Association spoke highly of the young coach and her approach to the grassroots pathway.
“Steph started with us in 2020 and came in relatively fresh to basketball. She played a couple of seasons of social basketball but had never considered coaching at all,” said Welsh.
“From the start, Steph brought a great manner and the way she approached coaching children was fantastic. She always brings a lot of excitement and connects really well with all participants. In particular, she’s been incredible with the girls and making them feel supported and welcome.”
Wyndham consistently ranks high for total participation numbers for Ford Aussie Hoops in the country, regularly featuring in the top five.
A busy centre needs good people, and Welsh believes Stephanie’s ability to connect and establish relationships with the community is a key trait to her impact.
“I think her ability to establish meaningful relationships and connect in a way that extends beyond basketball. It’s a massive part of what gives the girls and boys confidence in their ability,” added Welsh.
“Some of the participants experience a lot of anxiety around coming into big stadiums like we have here at Eagle Stadium and she creates real comfortable environment for them to feel like they can be themselves and take that step through their basketball journey.”
The coaching pathway is essential to meet the booming participation rates of the game and Stephanie’s work is also a testament to the pipeline established at Wyndham.
“We do focus a lot on developing our coaches and their craft. There is entry level, ad hoc opportunities but we have a system that allows coaches to develop and progress into structured coaching if that is their desired pathway”, said Welsh
“If you jump on board through our participation-based programmes and enjoy it then you can progress onto more senior positions in our representative programmes and development,”
“We’re really excited for Steph to receive this acknowledgement and look forward to where her coaching journey takes her.”
A huge congratulations to Stephanie, this well-deserved recognition celebrates her dedication, passion, and incredible impact on participants and the wider community through the Ford Aussie Hoops program.
Thank you to all our coaches, particularly fellow Coach of the Year nominees Justin Cassidy (Westgate) and Keenan Mullaney (Bundaberg).
Your hard work makes Ford Aussie Hoops such a special program.
