The Coach Leadership Group (CLG) has been established to help guide and support the development of coaching in basketball. This leadership group aims to enhance the connection into our basketball communities and ensure development programmes and services are ‘fit for purpose’ in meeting the needs of our participants.
Please click here to view the CLG Terms of Reference.

Alex Stojkovic
Alex has been involved in basketball coaching for over 20yrs. He has coached at all levels in New Zealand from Primary School to National League, giving him a great understanding of player development needs. Alex was recently appointed as Director of Basketball for the Bay of Plenty Basketball Foundation and will oversee the establishment of the Stingrays Men’s and Women’s NBL teams as well as Academy pathways later on this year. He is currently the Community Basketball Manager for Te Aroha Basketball Association.

Mel Bennett
Mel’s passion areas are coaching, equity in the Māori space and wahine space, and how we can bring the game to the community. Mel has been instrumental in supporting Wahine coaches in Basketball, she currently coordinators the Te Whariki Hou – Te Mana o te Wahine project. She has created the Pou Uara framework and strategy which the Tall Ferns implemented in their tour to Jordan. Mel is the current Head Coach for the Mid-North Women’s NBL Team and the NZ U17 Women.

Helen Williamson
Helen embodies what it means to be invested and dedicated community basketball coach. In 2021 Helen was named Canterbury Basketball Coach of the Year. Helen’s dedication has shown itself in her involvement in the Club, High School, and Representative spaces. Helen is also invested in her own development as a coach.

Jimmy Sinclair
Jimmy is currently the Selwyn Sports Trust, Executive Officer, and director of The People Outfit. Prior to this, Jimmy was head of Coach Education at the Canterbury Rugby Union. Jimmy is a former NZ 7s National Development Coach, World Rugby Trainer, and Educator. Jimmy has an absolute love and passion for developing coaches at any level from under 6 to Seniors.