Albury-Wodonga Bandits have announced the appointment of Matt Paps as head coach of the women's team for the 2020 season.
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The Melbourne export brings with him 15 years basketball coaching experience, including six years in an assistant role with WNBL club Bulleen Boomers, helping the side to a championship in 2011.
Paps also coached Bulleen in the Big V competition from 2014 to 2018 and most recently helped the McKinnon Cougars to their first playoffs appearance in several years.
The incoming coach has signed a one-year deal with the Border club and takes the reins from Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson.
Paps said the Bandits' job came to his attention through a mutual friend of the club before things just fell into place
"We had a couple of conversations and I liked what they presented and they obviously liked what I had to offer, it seemed to be a good match," Paps said.
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"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to come up to Albury and work with the girls and all of the people involved.
"I can't wait to get up here and get started."
While the club is still in the process of signing players for next season, Paps said he wanted to place an emphasize on developing young local talent, as well as draw in some experienced players.
"We're looking for a couple of big names that will be exciting for the program," Paps said.
"It's still very early in the piece to say where exactly the expectations would be.
"I expect to improve every time we get on the court and expect 100 percent effort every time we're out there.
"I would like to be looking towards finals and continue the work Lauren did last season.
"She obviously implemented a pretty strong program and from talking to the players, the level of professionalism she bought in really improved.
"I just have to build on that and take a step further if possible.
"My plan is to have it set up so that it can continue on, whether it's me or someone else, it's set up for the future."
The club will look to commence pre-season training in the new year.