Top coach

By Casey Neill
KNOX Raiders’ Graham Longstaff has been named the state’s top basketball coach.
Knox’s referees also earned their fifth consecutive Program of the Year award at the Annual Basketball Victoria awards late last month.
Many of Longstaff’s family and friends were there to watch him receive the coaching gong. “I was very proud actually,” he said.
The 52-year-old represented Victoria and Australia and played in the NBL during his 20-year playing career after following his brother into the sport.
“I guess it was a natural progression from playing to coach,” he said. “It’s become a part of my life.”
The Knox Raiders SEABLE men’s head coach led his team to win last year’s championship in emphatic fashion. He was also the scouting coach for the under-14 national championship-winning Junior Raiders boy’s team.
“This award is really a team award, which ultimately belongs to the club, and I thank the club for giving me a second chance after coaching the SEABL men in 1996 and 1997,” he said.
Longstaff said he enjoyed watching the junior players progress and helping other coaches grow. “I’m quite happy just doing my thing at Knox,” he said.
On accepting his award he thanked several coaches who’d had a big influence on his coaching career.
He named Lindsay Gaze, Ken Watson, Jack Nicey, Owen Hughan and “in particular Bruce Palmer who has had the biggest influence on my career and really taught me how to think about the game”.
Longstaff also thanked Damian Cotter, who worked with him at Knox for eight years. “I’ve been very fortunate to coach and have been involved with a number of great players and personalities,” he said.
Basketball Victoria also recognised six Knox Basketball servants for their long service to the organisation.
Margaret Keen and Pat Vaughan each received silver service awards for their 25-year contributions, and Wayne Sewell, Bryan Cook, Peter Asquith and Tracy Tuennisen scooped up bronze awards for 15 years.
Knox Basketball chief executive Simon Brookhouse said the club would not be in the position it was without their help. “Awards like these are a great recognition of the time and effort individuals and groups of individuals put in at our association,” he said.