Nelson College re-hires Giants star
A Nelson Giants player who lost his job as a Nelson College basketball coach in sudden and unexplained circumstances has been rehired following an internal investigation.
Nelson Giants guard Ali Granger and former national league player Tony Shallcrass were released from coaching Nelson College’s Senior A basketball team in February.
All parties have declined to comment on what prompted the college to cut ties with the coaches.
Following an investigation, the college has agreed to re-hire Granger as a contractor in a coaching role next year.
Shallcrass, a volunteer coach for 14 years, has not been offered a coaching position.
Granger said he couldn’t comment on the investigation process, other than to say it was difficult.
‘‘It was just a bit of a rough time not knowing what’s around the corner.’’
However, he was positive about returning to coach at the college and ready to ‘‘move forward’’.
‘‘I’m happy about it, absolutely. Can’t wait to get back there and stuck in and coach some kids and develop some players.’’
He said he didn’t know which team he would be coaching.
Nelson College headmaster Gary O’Shea said the matter concerning the coaches has been ‘‘completely closed’’.
‘‘I can’t comment on the reasons for the dismissal.
‘‘There was a full investigation and we parted ways. Let’s put it that way,’’ O’Shea said.
‘‘That investigation involving them was purely around coaching and not around anything else and no other agency’s been involved in terms of that process.’’
He said Granger will return in a ‘‘slightly different’’ contractor’s role next year.
However, he wouldn’t comment further because it was a private employment agreement.
Shallcrass said the investigation was ‘‘a very difficult process’’.
‘‘I’ve found the whole entire thing quite surprising to be fair. I’m really happy that Ali Granger’s been reinstated, just because he’s got his name cleared and he’s passionate about basketball.’’
Shallcrass said he has been helping to coach under-19 representative basketball in Nelson.
Following the coaches’ dismissal, Nelson Giants player Finn Delany, a former Nelson College student, wrote an open letter on Facebook defending them.
‘‘The college’s decision to part with the coaches is one that I don’t understand and strongly disagree with.
‘‘In fact I consider it may be detrimental to the basketball programme,’’ Delany said.
‘‘Both coaches are deeply passionate about Nelson College basketball, developing local basketballers and the game itself.
‘‘Both are hardworking individuals and expect nothing less from their players, not only is hard work a trait that college basketball has aligned itself with but it is also plain and simple the way training needs to be.’’