Tara Murray
New Kyneton Tigers coach Brendan McCarthy is looking forward to the new challenge in the Country Basketball League this season.
McCarthy, who captained the side last season, will coach the team this year with former coach Ash Clark to coach the women’s team this season.
McCarthy said he just wanted to do what was best for the club.
“It’s very exciting and I’m pretty stoked about it,” he said. “Stepping up from being captain is a bit of a leap, but I wouldn’t be stepping up without such a good team and very supportive association and family network.”
McCarthy said he had never really planned on coaching, but when the opportunity arose he was happy to step up into the role.
He said he would continue to play this season, with plenty of support through assistant coaches on the bench to make the job easier.
McCarthy said for him this season he wanted to continue building on the work they’ve done the last couple of seasons.
Last year, the Tigers didn’t win a match.
“The expectation is to start winning a few matches and then look at finals, but we will take it game by game,” he said.
“We’ve had a big pre-season to get us fit and right to play. Even though the last two seasons didn’t look good on the charts, we’ve come a long way as a team.
“The culture of the team, the men’s and women’s has been exceptional. Other players know that the culture is good and it’s a credit to us.”
McCarthy said they would have a similar line up to last season, with a couple of additions.
They’ve signed a new development player, while Jordan Mangan returns to the black and yellow.
Mangan, who was previously selected in an Australian under-17 team, hasn’t played for the Tigers for a few years.
McCarthy said Mangan would be a big inclusion for them.
“He will have a good leadership role,” he said. “He loved the club and has that real good team attribute as well.”
