Sabres Junior Girls Coaching Panel Announced

The Sabres Junior Girls program is pleased to announce the appointment of their Girls Coaching Panel for 2019.

Girls Head Coach Simon Giovannoni is excited for two key acquisitions to join the junior girls coaching ranks. “We’re pleased to have obtained the services of Cal Charge from McKinnon and Jacqui O’Neill from Diamond Valley for the 2019 VJBL season. Having two young promising coaches join our team shows faith in the vision we have for the Sabres moving forward. Both come highly recommended and well credentialed. Our junior girls will be the beneficiaries of their expertise and passion.”

O’Neill will coach the Under 16.1 and has helped build Diamond Valley into a northern suburbs powerhouse. She has spent the last two years as an assistant with the Vic Metro Under 16 Girls and has coached at Under 14 Nationals with Diamond Valley. Two of her Eagles Under 12 teams have twice been runners up at the National Junior Classic.

“She has done tremendous work at Diamond Valley. I have the utmost respect for Alan McAughtry and the program he has built there, developing both his coaches and his players. We want to do something similar here with the Sabres. I know leaving Diamond Valley was difficult for Jacqui given the relationships she has there. We’re thankful she has decided to join us”, said Giovannoni.

Giovannoni was also full of praise for Cal Charge. “Cal will be in charge of the Under 14.1 and has similarly developed a reputation as a development coach. He was Mckinnon junior coach of the year in 2018 whilst coaching Mckinnon Under 12.1 girls. It was the Girls’ program first ever girls appearance at the National Junior Classic.”

Giovannoni also confirmed the appointments of Sam Groves to the Under 12.1 and Isabelle Shea and Ella Batish to the Under 18.1.

“Sam Groves has done a tremendous job with the Under 12 age group this season, setting the foundation for the club beyond this year. We want her to do it again and continue to build the program so our players have both the technical ability and tactical awareness to move through the age groups. Isabelle and Ella are fresh off playing in another VYC Women’s Championship. They’ve developed into great young role models for our girls and we look forward to watching their development as they continue to guide our Under 18 Girls as they transition to senior basketball.

Further coaching appointments will be announced shortly to round out the Girls coaches for 2019.

Under 12.1 Girls Sam Groves

Under 14.1 Girls Cal Charge

Under 16.1 Girls Jacqui O’Neill

Under 18.1 Girls Isabelle Shea / Ella Batish