Coach Liam Flynn
Years ago
North Adelaide Rockets 2022 Coaching Staff
2022 Coaching Staff North Adelaide Rockets Announcement
North Adelaide is delighted to announce our Division 1 coaching staff for 2022.
U10 Girls - Sian Della Pia
Sian returns for her second year as Head Coach of the U10 Girls program having helped build this program to being one of the biggest it has ever been at the club and one of the most successful in the state. A past player at the club, and an experienced coach for her age, we are thrilled to have a strong female role model like Sian heading up our U10 Girls program once again. Sian holds a Level 0 Basketball Australia coaching accreditation.
U12 Girls – Courtney Johnston
We are excited to have Courtney take on this role to spearhead the revitalised U12 girls program for 2022. Courtney comes from the U23 women's program where she coached an undefeated team and helped develop many of the players who were a part of our NBL1 womens Grand Final team. She is also a coach within the South Australian High Performance program where she is an Assistant Coach of the U14 and U20 State teams. Courtney holds a Level 1 Basketball Australia accreditation.
U14 Girls – Carla Saponari
Carla has created a fantastic and dynamic culture for young girls within the U14 age group and we are so happy to welcome her back as Head Coach of our U14 girls program. One of the best young coaches in South Australian basketball, Carla won a Bronze Medal as a Development Coach for the U16 SA Metro girls in 2021. She is close to finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in secondary teaching and holds a Level 2 Basketball Australia coaching accreditation.
U16 Girls – Nathan Humphries
We are pleased to have an excellent junior coach like Nathan agree to make the move over to North to take over our U16 Div 1 girls program. He comes across from the strong West Adelaide U16 Girls program, where he guided the 'second’ U16 Girls Div 1 team to a winning season, including multiple wins verse ‘first’ teams from other District clubs. Nathan has also been an active coach within the SA Country program, as a Head Coach of the U14 Boys team and a Development Coach for the U16 SA Country Girls team. Nathan holds a Level 0 Basketball Australia coaching accreditation.
U18 Girls – Tom Giles
We welcome Tom Giles into the role as Head Coach of the U18 Division 1 girls in 2022. In 2021, Tom coached within both our U16 and U14 girls programs and played a key role in the development of our first year athletes. Tom is an excellent coach for "bigs", holding his own “In the Paint” camps for junior interior players each school holidays. Prior to coaching, Tom had a successful playing career which included stints at the NBL1, US College and NBL. Tom has a tertiary degree in secondary teaching and is a level 1 Basketball Australia accreditation.
Boys Coaching Staff
U10 Boys - Kevin Rock
We welcome back Kevin for his 11th year as Head Coach of our U10 Division 1 boys program. In this time, Kevin has played a key role in identifying and developing the majority of our North Adelaide players who have gone on to represent their state and their country. He is an excellent teacher of the fundamentals of the game and has built this program to be one of the best in South Australia. Kevin holds a Level 2 Basketball Australia coaching accreditation.
U12 Boys – Robert Johnston
Robert is being promoted from Assistant Coach of the Div 1 Boys to the Head Coaching position for 2022. This will be Robert’s third year in the U12 Boys program at North Adelaide where he has played a key role in developing our junior players. Prior to his time at North Adelaide, Robert had experience as a Head Coach at South Adelaide and Eastern Mavericks in their junior boys programs. Robert has a Level 1 Basketball Australia accreditation.
U14 Boys – Ryan Vivien
Ryan returns for his second season as the U14 Division 1 boys coach having led this age group to a successful 2021 campaign. Along with the excellent work he does for North Adelaide, Ryan is involved in the Basketball SA High performance program where he is the Head Coach of the U20 Mens B State team. Ryan is a qualified high school teacher and holds a level 2 Basketball Australia accreditation.
U16 Boys – Andrew Jantke
Andrew is our current U16 Division 1 boys coach and returns for a second year as head coach of this age group. Andrew has a decorated and successful career in junior basketball having won a Gold Medal at the Australian Junior Classics, as well as, multiple state championships. He has also been an active coach in the South Australian High performance program, currently an Assistant Coach to the U20 Boys B State team. Andrew holds a level 2 Basketball Australia accreditation.
U18 Boys – Rod Herrera
Rod returns as the Head Coach of our U18 Division 1 Boys coach after guiding the team to the finals this year. Previously he was one of the most successful coaches at our club, going two straight undefeated seasons with the U18 Div 2 boys in 2019 and 2020 and winning multiple state championships and winter season grand finals. Rod has a level 1 Basketball Australia accreditation.
