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FORMER Lady Braves coach Jonathan Goodman says he leaves Bendigo with a heavy heart after signing with rival SEABL club Sandringham Sabres.
The Sabres announced the former Australian Under-19 Gems assistant coach’s appointment on Thursday.
It officially ends a five-year association between Goodman and the Lady Braves – one that yielded two conference championships, and two national and four conference grand final appearances.
Goodman’s future with the Lady Braves became clouded when the head-coaching position was advertised earlier this month by Bendigo Stadium Limited, which administers the Braves’ men’s and women’s teams and also the city’s WNBL team Bendigo Spirit.
The 36-year-old was initially offered a contract before negotiations stalled.
His departure comes little more than a month after Goodman led the Lady Braves to a south conference championship and national grand final loss to Geelong Supercats.
The new Sabres coach said he would always remember his time with the Braves organisation and Bendigo Basketball Association with fondness.
“I definitely didn’t want to leave Bendigo, I thought I had many more years to give,” he said.
“I love Bendigo, I’ve brought a house there and I’ve tried to be a part of the community.
“It’s a great community and they love their basketball.
“I’m still the director of coaching (that contract expires in December) and have a great affinity with the junior program that I want to continue to be involved in, and Sandringham is aware of that.”
Goodman said he regretted not being able to capture an elusive SEABL national championship.
Despite reaching the national grand final in 2013 and again this season, he firmly believed his side had been best placed to achieve the ultimate success sin the two seasons they were beaten in the conference grand final.
“For whatever reason on those days we just didn’t get it done, he said.
Goodman said the highlights of his stint in Bendigo included getting to know the people of Bendigo, the “great” support from his players, two WNBL championships with the Spirit as an assistant coach under Bernie Harrower, and the two SEABL Conference championships.
Goodman joins a Sandringham team which went 6-16 last season and finished in sixth position in the east conference, but is widely considered to be on the improve.
After weighing up several offers in the last two weeks, Goodman believed the Sabres were a “good fit” for him to start the next phase of his career.
“I’m really thankful for the opportunity Sandringham has given me and really excited at the possibilities,” he said.
A delighted Sabres director of basketball Brendan Joyce said the organisation was delighted to have a coach with Goodman’s record and qualifications on board.
“He is a great coach with a tremendous resume having coached Australian teams and been to the finals many times,” he said.
“He will be invaluable taking our women to the next level”.
Applications for the vacant Lady Braves job close this Friday at 5pm.
A one-year contract is on offer, running from November 1 to October 30 next year.