Hume City Broncos didn’t have to look far for a new coach for their Big V women’s state championship side.
The club always knew they would be looking for a coach at season’s end with Glen Milner only taking on the role for 12 months. But that 12 months allowed them to find the perfect person for the job.
After spending last season as an assistant coach to Milner, Michael Thomas has been appointed to the role.
Thomas, who was previously head coach of the Sunbury Jets women’s side, said it was an extraordinary opportunity.
He got involved with the Broncos through his connections with former Women’s National Basketball League and Broncos player Sharin Milner, who also happens to be Glen’s daughter.
“I had a year off after coaching at Sunbury,” Thomas said.
“I went to school with Sharin and we stayed in touch.
“Glen is doing a lot of travelling next year so he didn’t want to continue coaching. They then spoke to me about the head role.
“It’s really exciting at a club which has had great success over the last decade.
“They’ve won grand finals or played off in most years.”
Thomas said as soon as the opportunity to take the role came up, it was too good to turn down.
He said he had learnt a lot the past 12 months under the guidance of Milner.
He said the depth of players coming through the Broncos program was something that stood out about the club.
The Broncos finished sixth this year, after an inconsistent season marred by injury, change of imports and players leaving to play other sports.
Thomas said while it was early in the piece, they looked like they would keep their core group of players together.
“The playing group is really exceptional and they taught me a lot,” he said. “The core group has been successful and I think they still have a few more years together as a group.”
Thomas said they would look to secure an import, something the Broncos have had good success with previously. He said they would also consider looking at trying to add a Women’s National Basketball League player, if the right opportunity arose.
The club has also announced its youth league women’s coach, with Tim Devlin taking on the role.
Devlin comes to the Broncos having been an assistant coach with Werribee Devils’ division one women’s side and coaching Corio Bay’s youth league women’s side before that.
The Broncos will have open try-out session on October 3 and 5 from 7.30pm at the Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium.
