BASKETBALL: The Irish Basketball Association (IBA) have appointed Australian Greg Gurr as technical director of coaching for the year.
Gurr arrives in Ireland with an impressive track record after working extensively in both Asia and Europe over the last 30 years.
His most recent role was as coach to the Western Australia men's team, but he has also been national coach of Singapore (1999) and Thailand (2000).
In the mid-90s he spent a period in Britain when he was in charge of teams in Derby and Edinburgh.
During this period he received the FIBA coach of the month award, and he has also been awarded the Australian sports medal, for services to Australian sport.
"It was never my choice to leave western Europe but my sister was gravely ill in Australia so I had to return. It has taken me eight years to get back," Gurr said.
He was attracted to the Irish set-up because he sensed the enthusiasm to develop the sport here, which is best exemplified by IBA chief executive Debbie Massey and the new strategic plan.
"The strategic plan has been an exhaustive consultative process over the last few years," said Gurr. "The levels of motivation are very high here. My expertise and experience will benefit the registration and development of coaching, while the administration side also suits me down to a tee."
Gurr has signed a one-year contract but hopes to be able to stay in the role for three to five years.
Despite his arrival, Gerry Fitzpatrick will continue as national head coach through the next European championships competition.
Former international and St Vincent's player Karl Donnelly officially began his role as the new Superleague manager yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Irish women's Superleague gets under way this weekend with a full round of fixtures. The defending champions, the University of Limerick, take on St Paul's, the only side to beat them last year, in their opening game.
Unfortunately, last year's new entrants, the Tipperary Talons, have withdrawn due to an inability to field a team.
Each club are allowed to sign one player who has not been resident in the State for the last year.
Limerick have lost Deirdre Leahy and Margaret Daly this season, but coach Tony Hehir has replaced them with the tall Bethany Schott, from Davidson College, in North Carolina, who will join forces with 2003 player of the year Michelle Aspell to ensure they are a formidable outfit again this year.
Tolka Rovers open their season with a Dublin derby against Meteors on Saturday evening.
Meteors have signed guard Liz O'Connor from Holy Cross, Massachusetts, while Alison Smyth has transferred from Longford Falcons.
Killester are the only club who haven't signed a foreign player, with their only addition being Suzanne Maguire. They face Glanmire, who have substantially strengthened their squad for the new year.
Sean O'Regan, former coach of Tipperary Talons, takes over the reigns at Glanmire and he has signed the 6 ft 1 in Adriana Spears, from Boston College. Further recruits include junior internationals Marie Breen and Patricia O'Sullivan, Deirdre Leahy and Helen McSweeney, from Wildcats. Aoife O'Dwyer has also followed O'Regan from the Talons. Sarah Jane O'Connell returns from injury to captain the team.
SATURDAY - Women's Superleague: Tolka Rovers v Peugeot Meteors, Tolka Rovers 5.45; University of Limerick v Scruffy's St Paul's, UL, 7.45, Vienna Woods Glanmire v Dart Killester, Little Island, 7.30. Women's Division One: Star of the Sea v Sligo All Stars, St Malachy's, 5.30.
Men's Division One: Moycullen v Neptune, NUIG, 3.45; Newport v Portlaoise, UL, 5.45; Ballina v Mullingar BC, Ballina, 8.0; Castleisland v Blue Demons, St Mary's, 8.15; Star of the Sea v Sligo All Stars, St Malachy's, 7.30.
SUNDAY - Women's Superleague: Drimnagh Dynamos v Wildcats, Oblate Hall, 3.30.
