Claire was an integral part of the Tall Blacks from 2007 through until 2014 in her role as strength and conditioning coach and team manager. She has also shared her knowledge and expertise of the strength and condition space with New Zealand age group players in the Talent Development Programme. Claire’s commitment to our players, coaches and administrators has contributed significantly to the strong position the Tall Blacks now find themselves in.
Claire sacrificed time at home with her family to travel with the Tall Blacks on overseas tours, at times being away for 10 weeks at a time. She took the team to 2 World Championships, 2 Olympic Qualifying events as well as a number of Continental events in between. On these trips Claire filled nearly every role, she was often referred to as the team manager, strength and conditioning coach, team phycologist, head if delegation as well as mother and mentor. Her attention to detail and intense focus ensured the team, from the players to the staff were always looked after.
Claire provided a key link between Basketball New Zealand and the Tall Blacks at a time where basketball was going through a period of instability and change. Despite these challenges, Claire remained positive and driven to deliver the best programme for our elite men’s players. Her efforts along with former Tall Blacks coach, Nenad Vucinic led to the establishment of many key international relationships that are still strong today. Those relationships have allowed the Tall Blacks to visit and play against some of the world’s basketball powerhouses including Turkey, Lithuania and Serbia.
Today, Claire is still involved in basketball as a strong supporter of the New Zealand Breakers.
