TORNADOES ANNOUNCE COACH FOR SEASON 2009

The Launceston Workstar Tornadoes are thrilled to announce the appointment of local basketball stalwart Rick Wyllie as Head Coach for the 2009 season.  Rick has been involved with basketball for 30 years, as both a player and a coach and will bring to the Club a wealth of experience and incredible enthusiasm.

 Rick Wyllie Basketball History:

• Rick played over 150 games for Launceston from 1987 to 1998 and was Assistant Coach from 1999 to 2003.
• Basketball Tas – Junior Coach of the Year 2008
• LSBL – Japara Senior Men’s Coach – 5 championships
• LSBL – All Star Coach – 5 times
• LSBL – A Reserve Women Coach – 3 premierships 1981, 2003 and 2004
• Baptist Basketball League – Elphin Road/City Baptist senior coach - A men, A Women and Club Coach – numerous premierships
• Coach of Launceston All Star Team against Australian Opals in practice match for Olympic Games 1996
• Life member – Japara Basketball Club 1978- 2008
• Life member – L’ton Senior Basketball League 1979 -2008
• Life member – Elphin Road / City Baptist Basketball Club 1976- 2008
• Head Coach Northern Regional Under 14 Girls – 2005 – 2008, current State Titleholders.

 Chairman, Wayne Watson says the Club is extremely happy to be able to secure a local coach with the experience and enthusiasm that Rick has.  “His knowledge of both interstate and local players, together with respect of the wider basketball community is the exact factors the Club is looking for to continue the successful Tornadoes programme.

If you have any queries, please contact me on 0408 447 801.

Liz Dixon Media Liaison Officer, Launceston Workstar Tornadoes

2008 Presentation Night

On Friday night, 1st August, a group of around 50 Players, Coaching staff, Board Members, Sponsors and Supporters gathered at the Mezzanine Floor of Elphin Sports Centre to celebrate our very successful 2008 Season and to recognize those who were chosen to receive awards.  MC for the night was Board Member Marcus Douglas and he certainly kept the night rolling along very nicely with his whit and humor. The various award recipients are listed below and all were worthy winners.

Chairman, Wayne Watson, thanked all who assisted in 2008 to make it a very great year. He also thanked Tim Hays, Head Coach and his wife Crista for their contributions to the club over the past two years. They are leaving Australia’s shores to head back to coaching and assistant coaching positions at a Private College in Denver, Colorado. Wayne wished them all the best in their new venture.

The players also gave out some of their own awards in the form of certificates to each player stating what award they had received.  Some of them were very funny and most appropriate to the particular person.