Basketball Australia is proud to announce the successful mentors and mentees selected for the Community Coach Mentoring Program in 2026 - bringing together an outstanding group of experienced leaders and emerging coaches from across the country.
Now firmly established as a cornerstone of the national coach development pathway, the program connects experienced mentors in their space with developing coaches in a structured learning environment built around reflection, shared experiences and practical coaching development.
At its heart, the program recognises a simple truth: great coaches rarely develop alone.
The opportunity to learn from someone who has navigated the same challenges, running training sessions, building relationships with players and parents, managing game situations and developing a coaching philosophy - can accelerate growth in powerful ways.
In 2026, the cohort represents coaches working across all levels of the Australian basketball system, from grassroots community programs through to association and performance environments.
MENTORS
The group of mentors features a diverse collection of respected coaches and coach developers who have contributed significantly to basketball across Australia.
Mentors include:
- Darren Anderson (VIC)
- George Robinson (QLD)
- Neil Gray (Basketball Australia)
- Zoran Joveski (NSW)
- Jordanna Brady (QLD)
- Ebony Doyle (VIC)
- Nat Logan-Pye (VIC)
- Jack Rolfe (WA)
- James Clarke (WA)
- Courtney Burke (VIC)
- Nikki Holmes (VIC)
- Michelle Norling (VIC)
Several mentors bring extensive experience in coach education and athlete development. Jack Rolfe, founder of The Coaching Lab, has built a strong reputation internationally for helping coaches develop reflective practices and athlete-centered learning environments. Zoran Joveski is widely respected for his work developing junior athletes and coaches within the New South Wales basketball system.
Across the group are coaches who have spent years building community programs, leading association teams and mentoring other coaches within their own environments - making them ideally placed to support the next generation.
Each mentor will work with a small group of mentees, meeting regularly throughout the program to discuss coaching challenges, share ideas and guide individual development goals.
EMERGING COACHES
The mentee group represents a strong mix of developing coaches from multiple states and basketball environments.
For many, the program represents a significant opportunity to deepen their understanding of coaching while building connections across the national basketball community.
Mentees selected for the 2026 program include:
- Jack Adlington (NSW)
- Kyle Ogden (VIC)
- Katie Tukker (VIC)
- Isaac Chow (VIC)
- Gen Cusak (VIC)
- Meagan Myers (VIC)
- Michael Davey (VIC)
- Kaniesha Flavey (SA)
- Rachael McCall (WA)
- Iritina Engels (VIC)
- Rachael Crosbie (VIC)
- Sally Fromm (SA)
- Sabrina Brick (QLD)
- Lachlan McKimm (NSW)
- Cam Bruce (VIC)
- Melisa Steer (VIC)
- Caitlyn Ryan (QLD)
- Amy Bainbridge (VIC)
- Sam Stone (NSW)
- Paul Kneebone (VIC)
- Priscila Barbaro (VIC)
- Mirrika Councillor (WA)
- Kate Leckenby (VIC)
- Dale Woodhart (SA)
The coaches were selected through a national application process that assessed coaching experience, commitment to development and the potential impact the program could have on their coaching journey.
For many, mentoring provides something that traditional courses often cannot - a trusted sounding board.
Whether it is discussing a difficult game situation, reflecting on training design, or navigating the realities of coaching in a volunteer environment, the mentor relationship provides practical support grounded in real coaching experience.
WOMEN CONTINUE TO DRIVE GROWTH
One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s intake is the strong representation of women across both mentors and mentees.
Female mentors including Jordanna Brady, Ebony Doyle, Nat Logan-Pye, Courtney Burke, Nikki Holmes and Michelle Norling will play leading roles within the program, providing guidance, perspective and leadership for coaches across the country.
Equally encouraging is the number of women involved as mentees, reflecting the continued growth of female coaches within the Australian basketball landscape.
Mentoring programs are widely recognised as one of the most effective ways to support the recruitment, development and retention of women in coaching. Seeing female mentors guiding emerging coaches - while a new generation of women step forward as mentees - is a powerful sign of progress for the sport.
A NATIONAL COACHING COMMUNITY
Perhaps the most powerful outcome of the program is the network that develops between coaches across the country.
Coaches from Victoria connect with peers in Western Australia. Coaches from Queensland share ideas with coaches in South Australia. Experiences from grassroots club environments are discussed alongside perspectives from association and pathway programs.
These connections often continue well beyond the formal program.
As basketball participation continues to grow across Australia, developing confident, capable and connected coaches is essential to ensuring every player has a positive experience in the game.
Through programs like the Basketball Australia Community Coach Mentoring Program, the sport is not only developing better coaches - it is building a stronger coaching community nationwide.
