Junior Basketball Coach

Press, Issue 31095, 25 June 1966, Page 11

Junior Basketball Coach

'J’HE newly created position of New Zealand men’s basketball junior coach-selector is an important one and could have a vital bearing on the future of the sport on the international front. Therefore, the progress of the successful candidate, Mr Trevor Wright, of Nelson, will be watched most critically by top administrators. If he fails to achieve the objects of the association there are others, notably Mr R. S. Thomson, of Christchurch. capable of stepping into his shoes at a moment’s notice. However, Mr Wright’s record indicates that he is a most capable coach and it will be a considerable surprise if he is unable to carry the scheme to its logical conclusion — the production of worldclass players from today’s juniors. Since he began coaching the Nelson senior team in 1962, it has consistently been in the top four in New Zealand. The team was runner-up in the national championship the first year he took it over and in 1964 finished first equal for the

Last season four of his proteges, K. Baddiley, C. Cotton, D. Taylor and D. Harford, were chosen for the New Zealand team which toured Australia last season, tangible evidence of his coaching ability. He has also been coach of the South Island team for the last two seasons.

Although the new position will concern him mainly with junior players, the position is known officially as “assistant to the New Zealand coach, Mr C. Agnew, of Hamilton.” Next season Mr Wright will be charged with the responsibility of selecting and training a New Zealand junior (under 18) team, which he will take to the Australian junior championships.

As assistant to Mr Agnew, he will travel to the Australian inter-state championships with the New Zealand team in September-October this season. This is mainly designed to give him the international experience he lacks and the opportunity to confer with top overseas coaches.

Mr Wright has always

done a great deal for junior basketball in Nelson, one of the reasons for its prominent position on the national scene today. He is recognised for his keen and analytical approach to the game. This ability won his association a national title and a runner-up trophy while he was coach of the Nelson women’s representatives from 1958 to 1961.