It’s in Rod we trust
TOWNSVILLE Heat coach Rodney Anderson will have another two years to fulfil his mission of keeping Townsville at the top of Queensland Basketball.
The men’s QBL championship winning mentor has re- signed with the Heat for another two years and has the option of a third year, a radical break with recent history when Heat coaches previously signed one- year contracts.
Anderson led Townsville to this year’s men’s QBL title, with the Heat beating regional rivals Mackay in a thrilling best of three grand finals series.
“It was an amazing feeling getting that first championship, but we don’t want to rest on getting one championship,” Anderson said.
“We’ve always been the hunter, but now we’re going to be the hunted.
“It’s a situation I haven’t been in before, but it’s extremely motivating.
“Teams will be coming at us in every game, so we’ll get punished if we show any complacency.”
Anderson’s re- signing is another boon for Townsville Basketball, which also re- signed Flames coach Mike St- Maurice last week.
Anderson said the security of his long- term contract would reap major benefits for the Heat.
“It’s the continuity of having the same system,” he said.
“That makes things easier when it comes to recruiting.
“Players come into a good system and then word of mouth gets out there, so players want to come here.
“We want to keep the same group together, but at the same time we want to bring in new players.
“We labelled some areas where we need to recruit.
“We almost got ( former Townsville Crocodile) Chris Cedar, we got very close, but he chose to stay with Mackay and we’re happy for him.
“We’ll make some player announcements before Christmas.”
Townsville Basketball GM Greg Vanderjagt said Anderson’s signing to a long- term deal was reflective of Townsville Basketball’s recent run of success and stability.
“I think Rod’s growth as a coach over the three years he’s been in the job has been exceptional,” he said.
“Players want stability as well, they want to know who the coach is going to be.
“They’ll know we have that stability here and Rod’s tactical and technical knowledge of the game is outstanding.
“He’s certainly established himself as one of the best men’s coaches in the league.”