The Melbourne Tigers Womens Basketball Association is pleased to announce the coaches for the upcoming 2022 VJBL season
This season we see a number of long serving coaches continue in Head Coaching roles and the club welcomes some new coaches to the program. Courtney Gaze and Matt Cromarty will take leadership roles for the first time in our ever important Under 12’s and Under 14 age groups.
The club would like to thank all our coaches for their commitment to the Tigers junior girls athletes and program.
Age Group Head Coach Appointments
Under 12’s Head Coach Courtney Gaze is synonymous with the Melbourne Tigers girls program having played her entire career, both Juniors and Seniors with the Tigers and recognized as one of the girls clubs most successful athletes. Over recent years Courtney has been pivotal in developing some of our up and coming athletes through 12’s, 14’s & 16’s. Courtney’s focus on skill excellence combined with her approach to teaching correct principles of play, will continue the outstanding performance in our Under 12 program. The club looks forward to Courtney developing and nurturing the next generation of Tigers athletes, which is recognized as one of the best in the VJBL.
Under 14’s Head Coach Matt Cromarty is highly recognized and regarded throughout the club and VJBL as consistently identifying and developing talent for future success. His commitment to installing strong habits in players with the skills to succeed in the modern game has resulted in his teams performance being at the top of the VJBL. Matt incorporates innovated methods to his teachings and his drive creates a competitive style within his teams that fosters a learning environment that is contagious. The club looks forward to Matt leading our future high performance athletes, in what is arguably one of the most important roles.
Under 16’s Head Coach Ray Tomlinson, is no stranger to success, being one of the greatest coaches in the history of women’s basketball in this country. A founder of the Melbourne Tigers and womens basketball, Ray demands the highest of commitment and standards from his athletes. In return his teams have been the most successful and highest performing in VC for over many decades. Producing state and national team players, Ray will continue to build the next generation of elite athletes that he has done so well over many years.
Under 18’s Head Coach Aaron Cliffe, returns for to lead the pinnacle of Junior representation at the Tigers and brings coaching experience at both the Junior and Senior elite level. Combined with his role as Head Coach of the Tigers Youth League team, Aaron will draw on his extensive leadership background to drive our Under 18 teams to the continued success that has become the benchmark for the Tigers and integrated with the Youth League, a direct pathway for our junior athletes.
The Tigers are extremely proud of the outstanding coaches that the club has secured for next years VJBL season and looks forward to the road ahead.
2022 VJBL Coaches
12.1’s – Courtney Gaze assisted by Mason Gaze
12.2’s – Matt Harvey
12.3’s – Sam Amos
Under 12 support: Ilena Gentile and Georgia Smart
14.1’s – Matt Cromarty assisted by Morgan Tolley
14.2’s – Glenn Milne assisted by George Kepenis
14.3’s – Angela Hendley-Boys
14.4’s – Lucky Papps
14.5’s – Mike West
14.6’s – TBC
16.1’s – Ray Tomlinson assisted by Annie Curtin
16.2’s – Stewart Hooper
16.3’s – Nyomi Cowen
16.4’s – Alex Leonard
16.5’s – TBC
18.1’s – Aaron Cliffe
18.2’s – Grant Francis
18.3’s – Mick Hughes
18.4’s – TBC
20.1’s – Gordon Dixon