Dominic
Years ago
BA must challenge Marino about 'interference'
BA must challenge the owner about interference of decision making by the coach - coaches have to cop the good with the bad but this must be based on their decisions made with impartiality - if owners are free to change coaches decisions the fabric of the game will collapse. Basketball clubs are about people and fans first and foremost - business is second. There is no point having a club if it is just "a business" - it will be better for it to fold if that is what is going to happen to our clubs!
Sacking Lucas is in no way in the interests of the club and players and the enormus media coverage demonstrates that.
From the Weekend Australian 20/10/07...
"BASKETBALL Australia will try to establish whether owner interference at Adelaide Lightning led to the senior coach's sacking and a mass walkout of club officials this week.
BA chief executive Scott Derwin will contact Lightning owner Vince Marino to discuss the sacking of senior coach Chris Lucas on Wednesday night amid claims Marino ordered Lucas to start his daughter, Angela Marino, in last night's match against Bendigo."
and
"...Derwin issued a statement to The Weekend Australian, saying BA was concerned about the "circumstances around Chris Lucas's sacking and the resignation of the entire Lightning coaching staff".
"If the decision has been made in any way for personal reasons, rather than in the best interests of the female players and the club, it reflects badly on the league," Derwin said.
"The head coach should be able to give honest feedback to players in a team environment without intervention from the team owners.
"Having said that, we respect that any owner can make decisions in regard to their club and their players that are in the best interests of the club and the players.
"Chris has done a lot for women's basketball and particularly for the development of Adelaide Link Lightning players, and given the information we have I will be contacting Mr Marino about the situation."
