Christian Arbanovski jumped at the opportunity to step up to coach the Whittlesea Pacers’ Big V women’s division 1 side next season.
Arbanovski joined the Pacers this season and was an assistant coach to Shannon Bodley as the women’s side was reformed after not having one for a few years.
When Bodley decided to step back from the role, Arbanovski was keen to continue with what he said was a really special group.
“It’s a very exciting time,” he said. “I’m excited and honoured to take on the role and help build on this season.
“I fell in love with the club and when the head coaching role was up for grabs, my hand went straight up.
Arbanovski had been an assistant coach elsewhere before he came across to the club after Bodley said he saw some really good potential in him.
He said he took a lot out of the first season at the Pacers.
“I saw how he operated and I learned a lot from this year,” he said. “They’re developing a club, players and a community.
“The junior program as well. Shannon thought it was the right time to step away with a heavy heart especially after the season ended the way it did.”
Arbanovski said the first season back in the competition had seen some amazing development in the side.
The group made the preliminary final after putting together a side to step straight into the division 1 competition.
“It was a starting point and the biggest thing was the culture,” he said. “The girls were strangers at the start of the season and the relationships developed through the year. I’ve never seen anything like it before in 25 years in basketball.
“The most impressive team I’ve been part of. It’s like a family and a really positive environment at training and junior players are coming in and it’s really infectious.”
Arbanovski said he was already speaking to the playing group about coming back next season and trying to get that championship.
He said there’s a lot of motivation there.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of core younger players to see what they are doing next season,” he said. “They want to add to what we’ve done and there’s unfinished business.
“The goal is to move into the state championship and get bigger and better.”
Arbanovski said one of his focuses was to help further develop the relationship between the women’s side and youth league women’s side so the teams are in sync.
The Pacers announced that Des Radoslovic has been reappointed the men’s division 1 coach.
