Ricky Grace named to Boomers Coach Selection Panel

Perth Wildcats legend Ricky Grace has been named to the selection panel who will help appoint the new Australian Boomers coach.

Basketball Australia (BA) has announced the process and the selection panel who will be tasked with finding the new Boomers coach, after the resignation of Brett Brown last week.

The selection panel consists of:

• Matti Clements – Australian Institute of Sport, Director of Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement
• Neil Craig – Elite High Performance Consultant
• Ricky Grace AM – Sydney 2000 Olympian, BA Hall of Famer, four-time NBL champion
• Peter Lonergan – BA Director, High Performance Coach Development
• Jerril Rechter AM – BA CEO
• Jan Stirling – BA Executive GM, High Performance & National Teams

Grace played for the Perth Wildcats from 1990-2005, winning NBL championships in 1990, 1991, 1995 and 2000.

“There are high expectations on our men’s national team going into the Tokyo Olympics and it was imperative that we assembled a credentialled selection panel to appoint not only the right coach for this unique opportunity, but the right person for our athletes and the organisation as a whole,” said Jerril Rechter.

“In recruiting for this head coach position, Basketball Australia is seeking to appoint a candidate with a longer-term objective of leading the senior men’s national team program post a successful Tokyo Olympic campaign.

“Coaching the Australian Boomers is a privileged position. We enter this process with an open mind and are committed to appointing a coach who reflects our ambitions and best suits the needs of our senior men’s national team program.”

The next Boomers coach will take charge of Australia at the Tokyo Olympics, with a longer-term objective to lead the senior men’s national team program for other FIBA competitions through until the 2023 Men’s Basketball World Cup.

Perth Wildcats head coach Trevor Gleeson has publicly stated his intention to apply for the postition.

The recruitment process is expected to be completed by December 2020.