Southland Sharks lock in coach for 2021
Australian NBL coaching legend Rob Beveridge will be back to coach the SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks in 2021.
Although he did make it to Invercargill to take the coaching reins for the 2020 season before the Sharks’ season was curtailed by Covid, the man affectionately known as ‘‘Bevo’’ did not get the opportunity to put his plans into fruition on the court.
Beveridge, a Basketball New South Wales Hall of Famer, has coached over 300 NBL games, and guided the Perth Wildcats to an NBL title in 2010 and most recently a successful four-year stint with the Illawarra Hawks, highlighted by a Grand Final appearance in 2017.
Sharks general manager Jill Bolger is delighted the club has been able to secure the services of Beveridge for next season.
‘‘We were so excited to sign Bevo for the 2020 season and of course really disappointed that the season did not pan out as planned. Naturally, it was our dream that he would still be keen and be able to return for 2021, so now we have that confirmed, together we can finish what we started 12 months ago.
‘‘To say he’s a quality coach is an understatement. Bevo has great relationships with players and operates as a people-first operator, which first perfectly into our organisations,’’ Bolger said.
Beveridge shares Bolger’s excitement about getting the opportunity to return to the Sharks.
‘‘2020 certainly has been an extremely challenging time for everyone and in particular for my family and I. We are extremely grateful to Jill Bolger, (Sharks’ chairperson) Nick Jeffrey and the Southland Basketball and Sharks Boards for the support that they provided in what was a difficult year.
‘‘I have always said that I only want to work with an organisation that is professional and that looks after its staff, players, sponsors, fans and within the community. Although I was only in Invercargill for a short period, it was clear that the Sharks and the Southland Basketball community of Southland were going to be a great fit for me.
‘‘It was a really easy decision for me to decide to come back to coach the Southland Sharks in 2021 in the NZNBL and I am really excited to get back to start recruiting and coaching a team that everyone will be proud of. I look forward to seeing everyone in 2021,’’ Beveridge said.
The 2021 Sal’s New Zealand National Basketball League is scheduled to tip-off on April 24, with 10 teams participating. Finals are scheduled for late July.