Basketball NSW is pleased to announce the winners of the Coach of the Year awards for 2015 Molten Waratah League.

The Waratah League Coach of the Year awards are determined by votes from the Head Coach and Team Captain of each team in these divisions.   Voters were not permitted to vote for members of their own team.

Championship Men Coach of the Year

Sutherland Sharks BJ Carter goes back-to-back with winning the 2015 Molten Waratah League Coach of the Year for the Championship Men’s division.

BJ said on winning the award “It’s great to win an individual award but it would not be possible without the hard work and dedication from the team and my fellow coaching staff”.

Championship Women Coach of the Year

Bankstown Bruins Jenny Lonergan has been voted the 2015 Molten Waratah League Coach of the Year for the Championship Women’s Division. In 2011 Jenny won the Youth League Women’s Coach of the Year. Jenny has led her team and finished the season as minor premiers with a 13-3 record.

Jenny said on Winning the award “I feel very humbled to receive the NSW Waratah Championship Women's 2015 Coach of the Year award. I don't coach for the accolades, but for the love of the game, the friendships and seeing my players improve over the season.

Thank you to my peers for voting for me, the Bankstown Bruins association for its support and faith in me as coach, to all the staff and players involved in our team this year and finally to my family. You have all played a part in me receiving this award - so thank you”

Division 1 Men Coach of the Year

Sydney Uni Spiders Daniel Kovacic has been voted the 2015 Molten Waratah League Coach of the Year for the Division 1 Men’s League. In 2014 Daniel won the Division 2 Youth League’s Men Coach of the Year. Daniel has led his team to a 14-3 record this season.

"It's one thing to tell players what to do, it's another thing for them to do it. I want to thank my team for all their hard work and support this year".

Division 1 Women Coach of the Year

Newcastle Hunters Christine McGovern has been voted the 2015 Molten Waratah League Coach of the Year for the Division 1 Women’s League. Christine has led her team and finished the 2015 season as the minor premiers with a 13-3 record.

Christine said on winning the award “I am in shock about winning this award. I had a heart attack earlier in the year and was not able to coach for part of the season. This award is as much for my assistant coach Dianne Cook and also Mathew Cook and Darren Duffy who helped out with the team when I was recovering”.

Division 1 Youth Men Coach of the Year

Manly Warringah’s Rade Radan goes back-to-back-to-back and back again with winning the Division 1 Youth League’s Men’s Coach of the Year award for the fourth consecutive time. Rade has led his team to another minor premiership with a 19-3 record.

Rad said on winning the award “The game is not about individual success or awards. We have a great culture here at Manly. It’s about the team and the club buying into the culture of winning buy being there to support each other”.

Division 1 Youth Women Coach of the Year

Newcastle Hunters Bianca Wilson has been voted the 2015 Molten Waratah League Coach of the Year for the Youth league women after an outstanding season finishing as minor premiers with a 13-3 record.

Bianca said on winning the award “Thank you to Pete Aftley who has been my mentor as a coach. A big thank you to my girls who have been an amazing team to coach. They are a great bunch of girls who support each other and most importantly have fun!”

Division 2 Youth Men Coach of the Year

Manly Warringah’s Steven Shortland has been voted the 2015 Molten Waratah League Coach of the Year for the Division 2 Youth League Men’s competition.

Steve said on winning the award “Basketball for me is about education to life skills. Work hard, play hard. Develop great relationships, have lots of fun along the way and hope those who you have worked with continue to be good people and do good throughout their lives”.