Ballarat Basketball Club yesterday announced his re-signing for the 2014 South East Australian Basketball League campaign.

Cunningham said his position renewal was great timing, allowing him and his coaches enough time to sort the roster, recruit soundly and generate interest in junior ranks and pathways.

The decision to coach Ballarat’s top women’s team took Cunningham careful consideration.

Cunningham promoted to the head coaching role in March, one week into the SEABL season, amid the club’s coaching restructure and had initially agreed to step up just for this season.

Initially uncertain if he was suited for the job long-term, Cunningham twice turned down offers.

He did some soul-searching on an already scheduled holiday in Hawaii mid-season, weighing up family balance, work commitments and confidence in himself as a coach.

“All I needed was time on holidays – time to take all the fluffy stuff away – and decide if I had the time and passion to do the job properly,” Cunningham said.

“I want to add value to the club and Ballarat basketball community as a whole.

“I’m interested in pathways for kids, always have been.

“You win and you lose games. I want to keep pathways going.”

Cunningham spoke in depth with family, work, close friends and mentor and long-time Vic Country colleague David Flint, the Ballarat Miners head coach, before making his decision.

When it came down to it, Cunningham said he enjoyed the challenge.

Ballarat Basketball chief executive officer Peter Eddy said the club was surprised, but delighted, when Cunningham accepted the offer for another season.

Eddy said Cunningham was humble in encouraging the club to advertise and see what talent might apply.

But the club wanted him.

The club restructured its coaching positions after the unexpected departure of Miners’ head coach and elite performance manager Guy Molloy in December for family reasons.

Flint took charge of the men’s programs but was unable to oversee the women’s programs as well due to ongoing work commitments in Bendigo.

Cunningham was initially promoted from his Vic Country and junior development roles to direct the women’s programs.

Eddy said Donna Rinaldi, who started the season as Rush coach, had done a good job, but the club had to expand the role.

The club was confident Cunningham, Flint and their assistant coaches could continue to align their teams closer.

Cunningham was voted the league’s Coach from Another Team You Would Most Like to Play for by SEABL women players last month.

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au