FORMER Perth Wildcats junior and Perth Breakers women's general manager Lukas Carey is Ballarat Basketball 's new director of coaching.
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Carey, the former Bendigo Lady Braves' head coach, has been appointed to the role for 2013 and 2014 - a modified version of the elite performance job vacated by Guy Molloy last year.
Ballarat Basketball chief executive officer Peter Eddy said Carey's role was designed to fill the gap in coaching education for elite program and association competition coaches, and offering support to the senior men's and women's programs.
This will include development of an online database for coaching advice.
Ballarat Basketball started its coaching re-structure after the departure of Miners head coach and elite programs manager Guy Molloy in December.
Eddy said it was important to first fill the senior men's head role with David Flint overseeing the men's South East Australian Basketball League, development league and under-18 programs.
Peter Cunningham was appointed to a mirror role in the women's Rush programs in March and Miners' captain Matt Hanson had undertaken a development role with players and teams in the Ballarat Representative Program.
All that was left was specialist expertise for supporting coaches.
Eddy said the coaching re-structuring at the Minerdome had taken time but it was important to get it right.
"It does complete the model," Eddy said.
"We don't just want to provide pathways for players - coaches are just as important, whether that's with representative or Country Victoria teams or in our elite teams.
"Our elite coaches also still need someone to challenge them to get better.
"...We're really happy. It's been a long process and challenging time but we feel we've got a really good structure in place for SEABL and the rest of our teams."
Ballarat Basketball has been working closely with Carey, before formalising his appointment, to ensure the part-time role will maximise effectiveness.
Carey has a demanding full time role in town as the City of Ballarat sport and recreation manager.
He arrives in Ballarat after three years as Bendigo Lady Braves' head coach and director of coaching.
Carey has studied coaching in post-graduate university studies and said he was excited to become involved with Ballarat programs.
"Ballarat is a professional club that has great leadership and is moving into a strong position of change," Carey said.
"It is a great opportunity to be involved at such a club and the have the chance to work with some of the state's most promising coaches and players."
Carey will work with Flint and Cunningham to guide the philosophy, performance standards anc coaching strategies from seniors down to under-12s while also managing player workload and welfare.
Glenn White will continue to oversee administration for the Ballarat junior representative program.