By JARROD POTTER
CASEY Cavaliers are on the hunt for a new Big V women’s coach after 2015 interim head-coach Tim Hewitt resigned to focus more attention on a different sporting passion.
Hewitt – who also coaches Casey’s VC under-20 girls in the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) – decided he wanted to put more effort into his triathlon ambitions this summer and focus more on junior development when he takes the under-12 age group responsibilities.
“I took it triathlon probably three years ago as something to do to stay fit,” Hewitt said.
“Was meant to do Ironman Melbourne this year – was a bit crook and injured – and took time off at the start of basketball season.
“It (Big V coaching) took up a lot of my time – training Tuesday, Thursday, weekend games and preparing for it all was up to 15 hours a week of work and that took a fair chunk of my time.
“Also wasn’t exactly sure with me being interim whether I’d coach or not and when the opportunity to work with the under-12 girls came up and I took that straight away.
“The club was fantastic – gave me an opportunity and I took the best of it and want to thank them for taking a chance on me.”
Hewitt took over as interim coach from Tim Parker after Big V round five and his stint in charge of the Cavaliers finished with a 6-5 coaching record to his name.
Hewitt’s Casey side was narrowly eliminated from Big V Division 2 Women’s finals contention and finished fifth and Hewitt will look back on beating the minor premiers Chelsea in a home-court blitz.
“Beating Chelsea at home was probably the highlight of the year – they were on top of the ladder, beating everyone comfortably and for us to beat them by 20,” Hewitt said. “By the end of the season we had an eight man roster – but we ticked through it and just missed out.”
It’s not the end of his senior coaching ambitions, with Hewitt setting his sights on the horizon to get back into the top-ranks after gaining more experience on the sidelines.
“I enjoyed it a lot – it’s a lot different to junior coaching,” Hewitt said.
“With the seniors it’s game-structure and game-style, how we play, while the juniors is about development and the basics.
“Just want a bit of time off from it (senior coaching) – hopefully spend a bit of time with the juniors and come back in the next three or four years and bring a bit more experience in when I get back.”
Casey Basketball Association vice-president Simon Krug wanted to thank Hewitt for stepping in to the role and admirably pushing the roster ahead despite numerous challenges.
“He wants to concentrate on triathlon and he’ll put all his efforts into the junior program now,” Krug said.
“I think he was exemplary and did a great job getting the girls to where they were especially with a depleted team – as there were resignations and injuries in the end.
“We think he did a fantastic job and certainly want to thank him for what he did for the team.”
Applications will open for the Big V head coaching position soon. For more information on the role, email Simon Krug at sskrug@hotmail.com
