The Tasmania Jewels have appointed Olympian Claudia Brassard as their first head coach, marking a major step towards the team’s WNBL debut.
Brassard brings more than 20 years of elite basketball experience, including 150 international games and appearances at the 2000 Olympics.
The Canadian-born Australian has an impressive coaching record.
She led Townsville Fire to the 2018 WNBL championship and helped secure back-to-back titles as assistant coach in 2015 and 2016.
Brassard said she was excited to move to Tasmania and start the role in April.
“I’m excited be a part of creating a team that Tasmanians can see themselves in – disciplined, hard-working and proud, with high standards in how we train, how we compete and how we represent the state,” she said.
“I already have a strong sense of belonging, a sense of community and a strong belief in this team, and that’s going to be the same drawcard that attracts exceptional players to the Jewels too.”
Jewels and JackJumpers executive chair Steve Old said the appointment kicks off a new era for Tasmanian basketball.
“There’s so much excitement to see the Tasmania Jewels join the JackJumpers on the national stage, and the appointment of the coach is the first giant leap toward the team taking shape,” he said.
“We searched far and wide for the right coach, someone who shares our values and vision to create a team for every Tasmanian, and we’ve found that in spades in Claudia.”
Jewels assistant general manager Kayla Steindl described the appointment as a major milestone.
“This appointment is a major milestone for the Jewels,” she said.
“First, it’s the coach, next players, then high-performance team and before you know it, the Jewels will be playing in front of their home crowd.”
“It gives you goosebumps just thinking about that moment when little girls across Tasmania will be able to look to the court and think ‘I can do that too’.”
The appointment comes as the Jewels prepare to join the WNBL alongside the men’s team, the JackJumpers.
