Stibners steps into head coach role to steer Roller Hawks into a new coaching era

Brett Stibners is stepping into the driver’s seat as head coach of the Just Better Care Roller Hawks following the departure of long-time championship coach Brendan Dowler.

With a powerhouse coaching lineup that includes recently retired Roller Hawk Nick Taylor and rising talent Rhys Brown, Stibners is ready to lead Wollongong’s wheelchair basketball champions into a new season – while keeping his jersey on standby.

It means Stibners now has three major coaching gigs within the sport, adding duties with the Roller Hawks to his assistant coaching role with the Australian team and head coaching role with the Under 23s.

However, he said he was excited for the Roller Hawks opportunity, especially with a good team this year.

“I would’ve liked Brendan to stay on for another year or two but he’s moved on so I’m stepping into that role,” Stibners said.

“I think we’re very lucky we’ve got a lot of senior players so we’ve got a lot of coaches on court.”

Joining Stibners on the sideline as assistant coach is recently retired Roller Hawk Nick Taylor, with Stibners describing the role as being combined with his.

“Nick and I don’t always think the same way and do things the same way, so it’s going to be a good collaboration,” he said.

“Hopefully we get the best out of each other in the tough moments and we give the guys the right direction.”

Stibners is firmly focused on coaching duties and is happy to take a back seat to Australian squad members Tristan Knowles, Shawn Russell and new arrival Jontee Brown.

However, the 45-year-old will remain as a player at training and on the active roster if required.

“Absolutely, telling everyone how good I am and I could still be doing it,” Stibners said with a smirk.

Joining the Roller Hawks’ bench as an assistant coach is Rhys Brown, brother of recruit Jontee Brown, who jumped at the chance to expand his coaching experience when Jontee linked with Wollongong.

Brown played able-bodied basketball from the age of four, representing Victoria and travelling to the US.

However, injury made him turn his hand to coaching, now finding himself part of the Basketball Australia mentor program and coach of the ACT’s Under 16 team headed to the nationals in July.

While this will be his first time as a wheelchair basketball coach, he’s been around the sport since Jontee first tried it out following his injury.

“I went with Jontee as support after his accident and I have followed him ever since,” Brown said.

He said he was there for morning workouts and drives, through to flights to Germany and every game livestreamed to support and give feedback to help him improve.

“Following his journey is emotional, as being so close to him I feel a lot of what he does but couldn’t be prouder and more eager to continue watching and seeing him become even more dominant,” he said.

With Jontee commuting from Canberra to Wollongong to train with the Roller Hawks once a week, Brown has also been making the trips.

“The trips are usually just listening to podcasts or ringing T [Tristan], Luke or Huss on the drive,” he said.

“A burger on the way back and plenty of time to talk structure and game tactics together.

“Although I’m fresh to wheelchair coaching, my philosophy stays the same – I coach to create better people, and naturally that creates better players.

“I have some unique ways but it’s all about buying in together and getting the attention to detail looked at with the right balance.

“I’ll bring different approaches and a new set of eyes on an already amazing group.”

Round 1 of the NWBL tips off on 27 June.