Tara Murray
Gerard Hillier will take on a dual role at the Wyndham Devils after being named as the Devils’ Big V women’s state championship coach.
Hillier was recently appointed as the association’s player and coach development manager and the experienced coach was last month named the women’s coach.
Championship winning coach Reece Porter previously held both roles before moving to Sydney.
Hiller said he was excited to take on the coaching role. He previously coached Southern Peninsula’s state champ side and has coached at national level in 3×3 and has been part of Basketball Victoria’s high-performance team.
“It was something that was flagged early in the interview process,” Hillier said about doing both roles.
“I still had to go through the process separately.
“I’m pumped to take over what has been such a successful program over the last couple of years, and equally as excited to promote some of the Wyndham local youngsters in to a more senior role within our program to ensure that our success continues well in to the future”
The Devils will start training this week, with Hillier starting to meet the playing group the last couple of weeks.
He said while he’s coached against many of the players, it was good to finally meet them and get to know them.
The core group of local players of Georgia Tauschke, Sam Moodie, Lauren Jones and Jess Slade are all returning this season.
Hillier said there were a number of new additions, which would likely be announced in the new year.
He said they were still not sure on what the league will decide in relation to overseas players, so it’s a wait and see game.
“It means more opportunities for local players if there aren’t international players,” he said.
The youth league women’s team will join the senior team for the start of pre-season.
Hillier said the two teams would work together for a couple of months.
“As a coaching group we want six young girls who can slide between the two programs,” he said.
“We’ll look to see who best suits that role.
“They’ve been really good and letting me know that they are keen, which is good to see.
“Six or seven players have said that they are keen for that role.”
John Dorge, who was appointed for the 2020 season, remains as the men’s coach for next year.
Grant Duca will again lead the youth men side, while Corey Michailidis steps up into the role of youth women head coach.
Tara Murray
