Bendigo Braves women will be lead by Mark Alabakov for the 2020 NBL1 season.
Alabakov - who is the Bendigo Spirit assistant coach - brings a wealth of experience.
He has coached elite level teams in the WNBL, SEABL, NBL, Australian Junior Championships, Big V and Victorian Junior League.
"As a coach I will bring plenty of energy and vibrancy to the Bendigo basketball program," Alabakov said.
"It's an honour and a privilege to take over the Braves Women program and I'm very thankful to BSL and BBA for the opportunity and belief in me."
Alabakov takes over the role from Megan Moody - who led the team to championship glory in 2018 and to the preliminary final in 2019.
"It's a credit to Megan for two great seasons that she put into the program. There has been plenty of success with the team but also with individual players who have reached their goals," Alabakov said.
"It's incredibly humbling to walk into Bendigo Stadium and see the banners that hang there.
"I look forward to working with the great players and people in the Braves program, linking the Braves and Spirit to create a flow-through pathway of information.
"With my role also as assistant coach of the Spirit, it provides the logical step in both directions for information sharing.
"In addition we also have the Spirit Academy, which has a strong contingent of Bendigo representatives, for emerging athletes to build a bridge to NBL1 level."
Bendigo Stadium Limited general manager of sport Ben Harvey said basketball within the city was thriving.
"With the appointment of Mark Alabakov, we are establishing a clear pathway between our NBL1 and WNBL programs," Harvey said.
"We are putting forward a coach that has an immense emphasis on development and culture, leading the charge for the next chapter of the Braves women.
"We at BSL, are looking forward to watching Mark develop the Bendigo youth and hopefully see them advance to the next level of competition."
With a long season still ahead with the Spirit, Alabakov is excited to be immersed within basketball.
"I bring tried and true methods to Bendigo. I'm excited to get started and to immerse myself within the basketball landscape," he said.
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