Fitchett new Giants coach
New Zealand Breakers assistant coach Mike Fitchett has been named head coach of the Nelson Giants basketball team.
The 36-year-old takes over from Australian Jamie Pearlman, who has taken up a role with Malaysian side KL Dragons, after taking the Giants to the semifinals of the New Zealand NBL this year.
Fitchett said he was looking forward to the opportunity to be head coach of a team he grew up watching and eventually playing for.
Giants general manager Bill Dahlberg remembers first seeing Fitchett as a 13-year-old at a training camp, and said following initial discussions a year ago, it was great to see him come full circle in his basketball aspirations.
‘‘He’s had a pretty good career . . . that next step for Mike is to be a head coach of a national league team.
‘‘The big thing is that the Breakers are happy to help Mike to help grow his coaching talent,’’ Dahlberg said.
In his playing days, Fitchett spent nine seasons with the Nelson Giants as well as stints with the Otago Nuggets and Waikato Pistons, making the Tall Blacks in 2007.
He has been an assistant coach of the Breakers and an assistant coach with Tall Blacks, both since 2017.
He has also gained experience as head coach of the New Zealand under-16 team.
With the NZ NBL season played during the Australian NBL’s offseason, Fitchett will not be relinquishing his role with the Breakers.
Dahlberg said the appointment was a continuation of the franchise’s goal of offering a pathway for athletes and coaches to develop their careers, particularly those living within the Nelson region.
‘‘I was really hoping we’d have Jamie for a couple of years, but that’s what happens when you pick up coach of the year . . . you can’t really stop people from moving on.
‘‘It’s one of those things where if you haven’t got people going to higher honours you should be disappointed.’’
Dahlberg said with Fitchett confirmed, the franchise would now look to lock in the playing roster for 2019.
Only two contracts had been confirmed at this stage – those of Tom Ingham and captain Sam Dempster.