Our Club Coaches and Volunteers
Chairman - John Harding
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In terms of basketball in the North East and particularly the county of Durham John is undoubtably a bit of a local legend!
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A highly qualified coach, referee and table official John is also Chair of the Durham County Basketball League.
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John played to a very high level in his younger days but was still winning Durham Leage MVP honours into his 40s and was last seen in a competitive fixture at an age when many are sitting with their pipes and slippers!
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As a teacher John has literally taught more kids to play basketball (and other sports) than most of us have had hot dinners.
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John now enjoys coaching the younger players as well as several of our mens teams.
Head Coach - David Wylie
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David started playing for the club in 1994 and has never missed a season since! He got the chance to play Senior National League basketball as well and was also awarded district sportsman of the year due to his hard work and commitment.
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He is a level 3 coach, level 3 wheelchair referee and level 3 table offical and has officiated games from u10s right through to professional and international U23 level.
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His main passion and priority now is coaching. Having first qualified in 1996 he has since always coached teams or ran community sessions. Not only is David Head Coach of our club but he is also the coach for East Durham College Basketball Academy and has coached as part of the North East Regions Aspire Programme for several years.
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HIs favourite group to coach at the moment is the U8s every Friday night.
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Wayne is a Level 2 coach who has been playing basketball since his mid teens when he helped form a team in his
hometown of Seaham also called Lions!
He quickly got the bug for the sport and became player/coach/secretary and basketball court constructor!
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After taking a break from the sport due to work commitments Wayne was conviced to get back involved in the sport again and joined East Durham as a player and then subsequently a coach as well!
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Wayne is a basketball addict and multiple winner of the clubs defensive player of the year award.
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His catch phrase is "The basket is always bigger when you have a smile on your face".
Coach - Wayne Bolton
Coach - Matt Connolly
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Matt's been involved in basketball since 1987 and absolutely loves the sport.
He played both junior and senior National League basketball but mainly played in various county leagues in and around London where he's from.
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Matt joined the club after moving to the North East and after a season of playing quickly became involved in assisting the other coaches with running sessions for juniors, community and adult sessions.
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He believes strong fundamentals and being able to read the game are the most critical things for all players at all ages.
Coach - Thomas Wylie
Thomas has come through all of the junior age groups at the club and is currently Captain of the Men's A Team whilst also playing National League Basketball for Teesside.
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Thomas brings lots of new ideas to the coaching team and has already amassed a lot of experience through being involved in playing basketball at a higher level.
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Louise has been involved in basketball for over 20 years initially as a wife and mother to basketballers and then subsequently as a level 1 referee and level 3 table official. Louise has table officialed at various levels for both able bodied and wheelchair basketball up to senior national league games.
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With her profrssional background Louise is ideally suited to these two critically important tasks within our club. Nothing is more important than the welfare of our players and their families.
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