Megan Moody is the first female to be appointed head coach of the Bendigo Lady Braves in the SEABL.
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Moody, who was announced as Jonothan Goodman’s replacement on Monday, takes on the biggest role of her short coaching career.
After a knee injury in 2010 ended a fine playing career that included an NCAA championship in the USA as well as stints in the WNBA, WNBL, Spain, Italy, Turkey and Great Britain, Moody took up a coaching role with the Bendigo Basketball Association.
She coached the Bendigo Young Lady Braves and is currently an assistant coach to Simon Pritchard with the Bendigo Spirit in the WNBL.
“Coaching gives me just as much enjoyment as playing,’’ Moody said.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time (with the Young Lady Braves and the Bendigo Spirit).
“Sometimes players don’t always make the best coaches, so it’s been a big learning curve for me to see the game from the other side of the white line.
“Being a part of the program here as helped me a lot and I’ve tried to take in as much as I can so that I can take the next step.”
Moody said she’d like to see the Lady Braves embrace an up-tempo style of play in the SEABL.
“I personally like to play up-tempo because it’s the way I liked to play and it was the way a lot of the teams I played in played,’’ Moody said.
“Obviously, you have to have some structures in place as well. You need to get the balance right between the two.
“Fast paced is always entertaining for the crowd to watch and a fun way to play, but you need that control so that you don’t force up bad shots.”
Moody’s experience with the Bendigo Young Lady Braves has her well-placed to work with the next generation of Lady Braves players.
“There’s some really good talent coming through. There’s a few players there that are not quite ready to come through, but in a couple of years’ time they’ll be ready to make the jump to SEABL level,’’ Moody said.
“The greater region of Bendigo is in such good shape for basketball. It’s great that Bendigo basketball can provide a pathway for young players to go all the way through to national league.”
Moody’s first task is to assemble a playing roster for the 2018 SEABL season.
“Hopefully, we’ll have some roster announcements in the next couple of weeks,’’ Moody said.
“We’re aiming to put the best team on the court we can to make us as competitive as possible.”
Spirit coach Simon Pritchard backed Moody’s appointment.
“Megan is an emerging coach, but she’s highly organised and very passionate,’’ Pritchard said.
“What I like is she is committed to make younger players improve. I think she’ll do a very good job.”