The University of Sunshine Coast Basketball Club has secured women’s coach Jamie Glover and three talented starters for the inaugural NBL1 North season.
Glover, in his second straight year at the helm of the Rip City women’s team, has re-signed Coast favourites Meghan Ditchburn, Liisa Ups and Layla Prince.
They were key players in the COVID-19 interrupted Queensland State League season last year.
“I’m excited to have the local girls back,” Glover said.
“Liisa and Meg were key players for us last year, always putting in 110%. They bring great energy and work rate.
“With Layla coming from the junior ranks, it will be exciting to see her development after a good QSL season last year.”
With the foundations set, Glover will focus on signing marquee players and was set to hold trials on February 7 and 14 for additional NBL1 spots.
Glover, who has been a development coach and coached juniors for most of his eight years at the club, said he will demand a few main things from his players control the ball, hard work and fun.
He is hopeful of topping his coaching highlight of winning the 2018 under-18 state boys’ championship in front of a home crowd.
Ditchburn, who will play her fourth season with Rip City, has set her sights on a NBL1 North playoff spot after the team missed out on the playoffs by one game last year.
“I have loved playing at Rip and being involved in their senior program, particularly last season where we had a great group of players and coaching staff, supported by a loyal and caring club community,” the 2020 Rip City Players’ Player said.
“I’m looking forward to the upcoming season. I’m hoping we can move deep into the finals and contend for the championship.”
Ups, the Rip City junior club development coach, will play her third season at USC.
“I’m excited to be joining for another year and to get a full preseason and season under our belt after the short one last year,” Ups said.
“We need to make being in the playoffs a standard for Rip City NBL1 and this is the year we will start that off.
“Consistency will be key this season and I’m excited to get it rolling.”
Prince, a Queensland under-18 representative, made her debut in the Rip City women’s team last year.
“I’m really looking forward to get to know the girls more and using everything I learnt last season this season, so it’s exciting,” Prince said.
“Last year we improved heaps, hopefully we can keep improving and winning games this season.”
The Rip City trio teamed up for the Australia Day Carnival (January 22-25), hosted by Clippers in Buderim.
USC’s NBL1 season starts with the local derby against Phoenix at USC Stadium on May 15.
The finals will be played in August-September after a 14-round regular season
