MEET THE CREW

Qualifications:

  • BNSW Level 1 Coaching Accreditation.

  • Diploma of Sports Development majoring in Basketball.

Professional Experience:

  • Junior representative career Coffs Harbour Suns.

  • 16 Years - State League Men's Championship team and Youth League Men’s team for CHBA

  • 18 Years - Attended the Australian College of Basketball (Melbourne) and played for the Western Port Steelers and the Knox Raiders.

  • Represented Australia at the Jump10 Hoops Challenge in China.

  • Post-graduation: I returned to Coffs Harbour and was the captain and coach of the Coffs Harbour Suns State League Men’s team until I tore my ACL and did not return to competitive competition.

Fun Facts:

  • Coaching style:
    Technical, motivating and disciplined.

  • Positioned played:
    Point Guard and Shooting Guard.

  • Most memorable jersey number:
    10

  • Best basketball move:
    Turnaround fadeaway.

  • What's your favourite after-game snack to indulge in, win or lose?
    Muffins or Cookies

  • When you play, are you a fist bumper, high-fiver or hugger after a big win?
    I do all three of the above. But my main celebration after a big win is a team song.

Learn more about Blake:

  • I started coaching basketball at the age of 16 (so that makes 12 years).

    I became a coach because I loved the strategic side of the game and helping others understand different facets of it. In my playing career, as a point guard, my job was to be an on-court coach, and this flowed over into becoming a full-time coach.

  • Helping players to set short/long term goals and achieve them. Breaking down the barriers for players to get to where they want to be and helping them along the journey of life, not just basketball.

  • I coached the Under 14 Boys Coffs Harbour Suns to the National Championships.

    Being from a small town, we weren’t given much hope of competing going into the JPL season, but we finished second in NSW and made it to the top 12 in Australia.

  • To keep players motivated and engaged you have to keep things fresh and fun.

    I always try and implement game-play simulations into drills and help players understand what part of the game we are practicing in a drill. I always make things competitive and have rewards/punishments so that players are giving their best.

  • I keep players grounded and help them remember that regardless of the outcome of a particular situation, life is going to continue, and there will be more obstacles ahead.

    It is not about where we get to but rather how we get there. In the journey of working towards a goal, the magic happens, whether or not you achieve the goal.

  • The major difference is 100% the connectivity and accountability you have towards a common goal.

    Whatever the game plan or the situation in front of you, if you have the entire team locked in and mentally focused on achieving the same outcome the same way, you will be successful. This will alleviate pressure and allow players to feel positive about the situation rather than scared. It will also allow you to take enjoyment in doing things other people think you can’t do.

  • Enjoy the ride. You never know when things will change for you, and your current situation won’t be the same. Set goals, work towards them, and enjoy the climb.

    It’s not about where you get to or how fast you get there; it’s about embracing every moment/challenge and learning from every experience.

    Never stop learning and trying to hone your craft. Basketball and sports were made to be fun. Don’t put pressure on winning or losing a game.

  • Larry Bird. Had the craftiest move set in history and was the #1 trash talker of all time.

  • This shouldn’t be a question to anyone - definitely Michael Jordan.

  • Golf - it’s like basketball, but you get to shoot every time.

  • Kobe Bryant - His mentality and dedication to excellence motivated me as a young athlete.

Qualifications:

  • I have a Bachelor of Exercise Sports Science and Physical Education (Secondary) from Victoria University.

  • Bachelor of Kinesiology and Recreational Management from the University of New Brunswick.

Professional Experience:

  • Juniors - I represented Coffs Harbour Basketball in juniors and seniors before gaining a basketball scholarship to ‘The Scots College’ in Sydney for years 10, 11, & 12.

    16 years - 18 years - I played Junior and Senior Basketball for Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.

  • Post High School - I moved to Canada to play College Basketball at the University of New Brunswick for 3.5 years.

  • Post Graduation: I moved to Melbourne to play in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) for Knox Basketball, Frankston Basketball, and Nunawadding Basketball.

  • 2017 - I moved to Adelaide to be a development player with the Adelaide 36ers and played for the Southern Tigers in the SA Premier League. 

  • 2019 I moved up to Queensland to play for the North Gold Coast Seahawks in the NBL1.

    During this period I was selected to represent Australia in China for 3x3 and became a Professional 3x3 player.

  • 2020 -I moved back to Coffs Harbour in March when COVID began, and I have remained on the Coffs Harbour Coast ever since. 

Fun Facts:

  • Coaching style:
    Passionate, Dedicated, Discipline.

  • Positioned played:
    Find out what Rob’s position was?

  • Most memorable jersey number:
    I have always worn the number 7 as it was the number of the first house our family lived in. 

  • Best basketball move:
    3pt shot, it's the same shot, so I found it easier to get consistent as the 3pt line was always your guide, and it's worth more than two!

  • What's your favourite after-game snack to indulge in, win or lose?
    Pizza and chocolate milk were my ritual the night before and after the game.

  • When you play, are you a fist bumper, high-fiver or hugger after a big win?
    All of the above, win or loss.
    I am all about “getting touches.” Small actions like this can really promote teamwork and a sense of belonging.

Learn more about Rob:

  • I have been coaching basketball since I was 17 years old.


    I was asked to run private training for younger kids when I was in Sydney, and it began my love of coaching and helping players improve by passing on the knowledge I had absorbed from the game.

    I really enjoy the feeling when I see a player demonstrate a skill or concept that i have taught them and watching the joy it brings players when they achieve personal goals they set out to achieve.

    Coaches have always been some of the most important mentors in my life, and I want to be a mentor and have a positive influence on the next generation of players.

  • Watching players grow their confidence through the game, on and off the court.

  • When we had our first round of the Pro 3x3 Hustle in 2018 in Melbourne, one of our players injured his ankle in the first minute of our first game.

    We had three players with no subs for the remainder of the tournament. We managed to make it all the way to the Grand Final but lost by two points to a team full of NBL players.

  • It is ok to fail and try something new.

    Moments like this teach you more about yourself and help you grow vs never pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.

  • Communication and accountability.

    If players can hold one another to a certain standard of performance and set guidelines for acceptable levels of performance and training, they will improve every time they take the court.

    Communication is so important in team sports, and teaching players how to effectively communicate with one another during moments of adversity or in moments to achieve a common goal is the ultimate recipe for teamwork.

  • Effort and Accountability.

    A team that has all members giving 100% effort at all times and holding one another accountable as a team is the best recipe for success.

  • Always push yourself outside your comfort zone and don't be afraid to fail, this is where the greatest lessons are learnt and delivers personal growth.

  • Paul Pierce would always talk trash to whoever he was playing, and I would like to know what he said in those moments.

  • MJ, without a doubt.

  • Basketball or nothing, I have never had any interest in another sport and couldnt imagine my life without basketball.

  • Paul Pierce—I was a die-hard Celtics fan growing up, as my Uncle lived in Boston and sent me Celtics merch as a young kid.

    Our team wasn't great during those times, but Paul Pierce was our best player.

    I had DVDs and VHSs of his highlights and best games and would watch them religiously.