Kilsyth sign former NBL head coach

The NBL1 South Kiklsyth Cobras have signed former NBL head coach Mark Watkins. 

He was the head coach of the West Sydney Razorbacks from 2004-2007, he went on to coach for Australia winning a silver medal in the Under 17 FIBA World Champions in 2014. 

Watkins' most recent role has been the Manager of Basketball Operations at Kilsyth, and will now take on the role of coaching the women’s NBL1 team. 

(Mark Watkins celebrating as Razorbacks Head Coach)

Kilsyth Basketball CEO Will van Poppel is confident that Watkins’ leadership and success will translate to the senior Women’s program.

“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mark as our NBL1 Women’s Coach,” van Poppel said.

 “Mark brings his experience to the senior program in what has been a decorated coaching career in Australian programs, the NBL and VJBL. Mark has instilled a culture of work hard and winning to our Junior Cobras over the seven years he has been at the helm of the program.

“Mark will now see his hard work within the junior program come to fruition at the senior end.”

Watkins said he will use the foundation he’s built with the juniors to launch a new era of women’s Kilsyth basketball. 

“I am honoured to be selected as Head Coach of the Cobras NBL1 Women’s team, and am grateful to the Board for having faith in me to represent the club as this level again,” Watkins said.

 “Seeing the great quality of players and teams in the NBL1, I am excited to coach the style of play that I have implemented in the junior program over the past seven years.

“I will be looking to develop our Cobras girls to build a team that can win a championship. Defence will be a key figure to our team’s success; and our style will be entertaining, exciting and up tempo, which showcases all the players skills.”

The Cobras finished 11th on the NBL1 South ladder last season with a record of 10-12.