Tara Murray
New Kyneton Tigers men’s coach Christian Martinez is excited for the new challenge at the Country Basketball League club.
The Tigers announced that Martinez will step into the role as they try and get back on the winners list after a couple of tough years.
Martinez said he was grateful for the club taking a chance on him.
“I’ve worked so damn hard to get this position,” he said.
“I’ve been at the club for a couple of weeks and taken to the club and I’m really passionate about it.”
Martinez brings plenty of experience to the role having coached at a number of clubs and been involved in school programs.
He’s worked with some NBL hall of farmers while he’s done some work with basketballers in Gisborne.
While he lives more than an hour away from Kyneton, it’s where he wants to be.
“It’s a good step forward in my career to take on a bigger project,” he said.
“The club has not won since 2021. It’s a unique project to take on and I get to step into the club and try and make something of myself in the CBL.
Martinez said he knows that there is a lot of work to do and he’s ready to get his hands dirty.
He said it’s a chance for the men’s side to have a clean slate but knows things won’t happen overnight.
“As long as
“We want to start to see progress and make the right steps towards working towards bringing the chip home.”
Martinez said the squad would still have a heavy Kyneton focus as they ensure there is a pathway for local players.
“We’ve got some young kids coming up and needing opportunity, that’s a big thing,” he said.
“”We want to bridge the gap between juniors and seniors and are working hard at that. We’ll look to get some youth in along with some of the exiting players and there may be some outsiders that want to come and have a look.
“We want to maintain the Kyneton identity at the core.”
Ash Clark has been reappointed as the Tigers women’s coach.
