Basketball SA is pleased to announce the Head Coaches who will lead our SA Metro teams through the 2027 Performance Pathway program.
The appointments bring together an experienced group of coaches who will play an important role in the development of South Australia’s emerging athletes as they continue through the state and national pathway.
The 2027 Head Coach appointments are:
A valued member of the Basketball SA coaching pathway, Lachlann Campbell has been part of several successful state programs, contributing to the Under 20 Women’s Gold Medal team in 2026 and Under 16 Girls Bronze Medal teams in 2024 and 2026.
After gaining valuable experience across these programs, Lachlann will step into the Head Coach role for the SA Metro Under 16 Girls in 2027.
His appointment reflects his commitment to athlete development, building strong team culture and creating an environment where young athletes can grow both on and off the court.
“It is a privilege to be appointed to work with our SA Metro girls in the upcoming year,” Campbell said.
“I am really looking forward to the opportunity to work with some talented young players and contribute to their development, both as basketball players and as people.
“I’m excited to drive a strong, connected culture where the girls can develop, compete and achieve.”
Alex Wright returns to the SA Metro Under 16 Boys Head Coach position, bringing more than a decade of involvement across Basketball SA’s high-performance teams and programs.
Wright has been involved in the Performance Pathway since 2015 and previously led the SA Metro Under 16 Boys to a Bronze Medal in 2019.
He was also an Assistant Coach with the South Australian Under 20 Men’s team that claimed Gold in 2017, providing him with extensive experience across Basketball SA’s state pathway.
Wright said he was grateful for the opportunity to return to the role.
“I have a great sense of gratitude to be given the opportunity to return to the Under 16 Head Coaching position,” Wright said.
“I can’t wait to get started with such a promising playing group.”
Dean Kinsman brings an extensive level of leadership, knowledge and experience to the Basketball SA Under 18 Girls program in 2027.
With a strong coaching background across multiple Australian national programs, including experience as a Head Coach at the Australian Institute of Sport, as well as NBL1 and WNBL Head Coaching positions, Dean brings a wealth of high-performance expertise and a deep understanding of what it takes to help athletes reach their next level.
Dean’s coaching approach is centred on building genuine relationships with athletes, understanding each player as an individual and creating an environment that challenges and supports them to grow.
His experience at the highest levels of the game will provide athletes with valuable insight and guidance as they continue their pathway towards senior and national opportunities.
“I’m incredibly excited to work with this age group, build strong relationships and help support each athlete as they continue to develop and progress along their basketball pathway,” Kinsman said.
Jimmy Alexander will lead the SA Metro Under 18 Boys program in 2027, bringing 10 years of experience within the SA Metro High Performance pathway.
Alexander has an extensive coaching background across state, club and school basketball, including leading the SA Metro Under 16 Men to a Bronze Medal and an Under 16 Girls team to Gold at the National Junior Classic.
His coaching achievements also include leading an Under 18 Men’s team to a Basketball SA State Championship and an Open Girls team to Bronze at the Australian School Championships.
Alexander said he was looking forward to working alongside the athletes and coaching staff throughout the program.
“I’m grateful to work with a group of exciting SA Metro athletes alongside an amazing staff and look forward to having a positive impact on each player’s journey,” Alexander said.
Basketball SA congratulates Lachlann, Alex, Dean and Jimmy on their appointments and looks forward to seeing them lead the next generation of South Australian athletes throughout the 2027 Performance Pathway program.
Over the coming weeks, Basketball SA also looks forward to recognising and announcing the support staff who will work alongside our Head Coaches throughout the 2027 program.
Registrations are still open for the 2027 Performance Pathway Trials, with athletes encouraged to register and take the opportunity to be part of South Australia’s performance pathway in 2027. Registrations for trials close on the 1st of October at 9:30am.
Basketball SA is pleased to announce the coaching and team staff who will lead South Australia’s Ivor Burge Men’s and Women’s teams at the 2027 National Championships in Ballarat, Victoria.
Both programs will head into 2027 looking to build on strong performances at this year’s Championships. The South Australian Men return after an outstanding silver medal campaign in 2026, while the Women will be looking to push into medal contention after finishing fourth.
There will be plenty of continuity across both programs, with the coaching groups remaining unchanged from the 2026 campaign. The only change comes in the Men’s team management role, with Sally Fox joining the group as Team Manager.
Head Coach: Eliza Wooden
Assistant Coach: Kyla Wilson
Team Manager: Amanda Warren
The Women will also return with an experienced group after narrowly missing the medals with a fourth-place finish in 2026, looking to build on that result in the new campaign.
Head Coach: Donna Georg-Dent
Assistant Coach: Marc Maddaford
Development Coach: Zac Scholes
Team Manager: Sally Fox
After bringing home silver in 2026, the Men will return to Ballarat with their sights set on another strong campaign and the opportunity to go one step further.
The 2027 Ivor Burge National Championships will be held in Ballarat, Victoria from 26–31 January 2027.
Congratulations to all coaches and staff selected to represent South Australia in 2027. ❤️💙💛
Both South Australian teams will head to Ballarat, Victoria from 26–31 January 2027, with preparations now underway ahead of the Championships.
Registrations for the South Australian Ivor Burge Men’s and Women’s trials are now open, with aspiring athletes encouraged to put their hand up for the opportunity to represent South Australia on the national stage.
Registrations close 19 September.
Register now to be part of the 2027 Ivor Burge South Australian campaign.
Basketball SA is pleased to announce the coaching and team staff selected to lead South Australia’s Under 20 Men’s and Women’s teams at the 2027 Foot Locker Under 20 National Championships in Ballarat, Victoria.
Both teams will enter the 2027 campaign with plenty to build on following strong performances in 2026. The South Australian U20 Women return as reigning national champions after claiming gold this year, while the U20 Men will be chasing a medal after narrowly missing out with a fourth-place finish.
Head Coach: Morgan Treloar – West Adelaide
Assistant Coach: Lachlan Coppick – West Adelaide
Assistant Coach: Tessa McDonald – Southern Tigers
Mentor Coach: Deb Freer
Team Manager: Kelsey McKay
Head Coach: Tim Odell – West Adelaide
Assistant Coach: Will Smith – Norwood Flames
Assistant Coach: Helder Borges – North Adelaide
Development Coach: Benjamin Carlson – Sturt Sabres
Team Manager: Neville Maslen – Forestville Eagles
Both South Australian teams will head to Ballarat, Victoria from 26–31 January 2027, with preparations now underway ahead of the Championships.
Registrations for the South Australian U20 Men’s and Women’s trials are now open, with aspiring athletes encouraged to put their hand up for the opportunity to represent South Australia on the national stage.
Registrations close 10 September.
Register now to be part of the 2027 U20 South Australian campaign.
South Australian basketball has marked a rare and historic milestone at the 2026 Under 16 State Team Singlet Presentation, with the announcement of a brother and sister appointed as captains of their respective state teams in the same age group on Saturday 20 June 2026 at the State Basketball Centre, Wayville.
In a moment that will be remembered long after the upcoming National Championships, siblings Chloe and Liam George were officially recognised as captains of the South Australian Under 16 Metro Girls and Boys teams respectively, the first known instance of a brother and sister simultaneously leading South Australia at the same national championship level.
While the honour is significant, it was the way the pair spoke about one another — and the visible pride that swept through the room among families, teammates and coaches — that defined the moment.
“Pretty special to share this opportunity with Liam. We are both very excited. He’s really hard-working, always looking out for his team, which I think is what makes him such a good captain,” Chloe said.
Liam was equally complimentary of his sister.
“She [Chloe] stays calm, but she’s also very driven. She’s super committed and always gives 100 percent,” he said.
Chloe forms a key part of the U16 Metro Girls leadership group alongside;
Liam George has been named U16 Metro Boys Captain alongside;
The event brought together the full cohort of Under 16 Boys and Girls State Teams, representing both Metro and Country, alongside coaches, team staff, families and supporters, to celebrate the achievement of selection and the responsibility that comes with wearing the South Australian colours.
For every athlete in attendance, receiving their singlet represents the culmination of years of commitment to the game — early mornings, late finishes, club development, and the sacrifices required to reach state level.
For Chloe and Liam George, that responsibility now carries an added layer of history.
Growing up in the same household and progressing through South Australia’s basketball pathways side by side, the pair have shared countless hours in stadiums, on sidelines and in competition. While their journeys have unfolded in separate teams and environments, their connection through the game has remained constant marked by mutual support, competitiveness and shared ambition.
Basketball SA acknowledged all selected athletes at the presentation, emphasising the importance of representing the state with pride and professionalism at the upcoming National Championships in Bendigo from 5 –12 July 2026. It was also overwhelmingly clear the strength of support from the squad development players, who were out in force backing their selected teammates as they received their South Australian singlets.
Basketball SA Performance Pathways Lead Dee Ranford said:
“It’s so important to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our selected State Team athletes. Being able to represent your state on a national stage is an incredible achievement — one they will remember for the rest of their life. What is equally important is acknowledging the development players, who have trained week in, week out alongside those selected, and how important that role is in the South Australian pathway too.“
While the sibling milestone provided a rare historical highlight, the presentation remained firmly focused on the collective achievement of all Under 16 squads.
The Under 16 Metro and Country Boys and Girls teams now turn their attention to the National Championships, where they will compete not only for results, but as representatives of South Australia’s proud basketball pathway system.
Basketball SA would like to congratulate the following athletes for being selected as SA Country Captains:
U16 SA Country Girls Captains:
U16 SA Country Boys Captains:
Following the presentation, athletes took to the court for a series of trial games designed to replicate the National Championships environment, providing an early opportunity for teams to build chemistry and prepare for the challenge ahead.
With the singlets presented and the countdown to nationals underway, South Australia’s Under 16 teams now turn their focus to representing their state with pride on the national stage.
Best of luck to all South Australian teams competing; we’re so proud of you!
If you aren’t able to head to Bendigo to watch the teams live, you can catch their games on the KTV livestream – links will be posted to our socials accounts.
END
For media enquiries, please contact:
Cindy Halkias
Brand & Communications Manager
Basketball SA
chalkias@basketballsa.com.au
About Basketball SA
Basketball South Australia (Basketball SA) is the peak body responsible for the governance, growth, and strategic direction of basketball across South Australia.
We exist to lead, support, and connect our basketball community, from grassroots to elite, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and thriving environment for all participants. Our role spans across governance, competitions, officiating, coaching, high-performance pathways, education, inclusive pathways, infrastructure advocacy, and community engagement. Basketball SA works collaboratively with associations, clubs, government, schools, and industry partners to deliver programs and services that enable basketball to be accessible and impactful in every corner of our state.
We are committed to driving positive change and upholding the integrity of the sport, guided by our core values: Respect, Accountability, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Excellence.