Coach resignation ‘surprise’

The Printsync South West Slammers is seeking a new coach for the women’s side with the resignation of Juliann Bissaker.

Bissaker said work commitments were the reason for her decision.

The former assistant coach took over the key role midway through 2015, after the resignation of Darren Austin.

In her first full season in charge, Bissaker took a young Slammers side to 2-20 record, but developed a number of younger players and had them competitive in most matches despite not having an import.

Bissaker said she could not commit enough in 2017 to do the “job justice”, but felt she and the team achieved “acceptable” results in 2016.

“We did ok,” she said.

“A couple of more wins would have been exceptional.”

Slammers director Carl Catalano said the club wanted Bissaker to stay on, but respected her decision.

“We are looking at setting up a senior program which means setting up D-League teams for each senior SBL side,” he said.

“This would mean we would need our head coaches more involved with the process.

“She (Bissaker) did not feel ‘half doing the job’ was fair on anybody.”

Catalano praised the efforts of Bissaker and her work with the team.

“She did a great job with the group she had,” he said.

“That group’s effort is not only a credit to Juliann, but to the playing group and rest of the coaching staff.”

Catalano said the club was yet to advertise the job.

“We haven’t looked because we thought she (Bissaker) would stay on,” he said.

“We have a specific role though that we need filled.”

Catalano said he met men’s coach Michael Van Lit on Tuesday night as part of the club’s review process.

A decision on the coaching structure should be announced next week.

The men’s side finished missed the play-offs in Van Lit’s first season in charge, ending the home and away season with a 8-18 record.