Alumni Coaches

Greg
Brockbank
Alumni Coach
Moses
Bygate-Smith
Head of Wellness
Mick
Downer
Alumni Coach

Mick oversees the technical direction of the program, provides US college and professional pathway advice, coaches athletes on the floor and supports coaching development. 

 

  • FIBA Accredited Master Coach
  • Rio Olympics, World Cup, World University Games and international coach 
  • International Clinician, writer & consultant
  • Former Australian NBL, National Junior & Senior teams coach
  • Various High Performance Management and Coaching Director roles
Mel
Downer
Alumni Coach

Mel plays a pivotal role in linking the Eagles program with Basketball NZ‘s national programs. As well as focusing on talent identification, depth charts and athlete pathways

 

  • FIBA Accredited Master Coach
  • International & National coaching experience Junior World Events
  • Former Head Coach Australian Centre of Excellence
  • State High Performance Manager
  • Former WNBL player
Adam
Morgan
Lead Coach - Central
Ben
Sheat
Alumni Coach

 

  • BBNZ National Assistant Coach
  • Former Eagles Head Coach
  • Former Rams Assistant Coach
Mark
Dickel
Alumni Coach

Mark Dickel was the head coach of the Mainland Eagles Academy between 2015 and 2018. He was instrumental in the growth of the academy and  supporting athletes in receiving US College scholarships. The number of South Island athletes receiving US College Scholarships jumped from 5 between 2008-14 and now sits at 40+ since the founding of the Mainland Eagles in 2014.

Mark has a professional and extensive resume and career both as a player and coach including:

  • Played at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (third on the school's all-time list for total assists)
  • Lead the NCAA Division 1 in assists (9.0 per game) in 2000
  • Played for the Tall Blacks in 100+ games including the 4th placed finishing team at 2002 World Basketball Championship in Indianapolis
  • 9 Year Professional Career in Europe and was named Eurocup All Star in 2006
  • Sydney Kings (2010-11)
  • Played for various NZ NBL teams including the Otago Nuggets, Wellington Saints, North Harbour Kings & Southland Sharks
  • NZ NBL Rookie of the Year (1993), NZ NBL Assist Champion (1998, 2014) & NZ NBL All Star Five (2002)
  • Head Coach of Albanian National Team (2010-11)
  • Head Coach of Canterbury Rams (2015-18)
  • Coach and Consultant at TNT Katropa (Philippines) & Philippines National Team
Piet
van Hasselt
Scholarship Coach 2021
  • BBNZ National 3X3 Head Coach
  • Rams Assistant Coach
  • University Canterbury Head Coach
George
Robinson
Scholarship Coach 2021

George is a coach within the Mainland Eagles program. His role mainly consists of coaching on the floor (particularly in the camp format), providing mentorship to athletes, and helping them achieve their on-court & off-court goals.

  • Masters in Sport Psychology from Fresno State, California (2018)
  • Current New Zealand u19 Girls Assistant Coach
  • Current Canterbury Rams Assistant Coach
  • Development Manager North Canterbury Basketball
Josh
Thompson
Scholarship Coach 2021

Coaches and helps with skills and team concepts for the Mainland Eagles program

 

  • Assistant Coach for Canterbury Wildcats
  • Head Coach for Canterbury Caracals
  • Head Coach U19 NZ Men's 3x3
  • Head Coach U19 Waitaha Women’s
  • Head Coach Lincoln University Men’s 3x3 (Former Head Coach women’s 5v5, 3x3)
Helen
Williamson
Scholarship Coach 2021

Helen is a coach within the Mainland Eagles program. Her role mainly consists of coaching on the floor , providing mentorship to athletes, and helping them achieve their on-court & off-court goals.

 

  • U17 Waitaha Girls Head Coach
  • Middleton Grange Senior Girls' Head Coach
  • Gators Club Coach
Jack
Williamson
Scholarship Coach 2021

Jack is a coach within the Mainland Eagles program. His role mainly consists of coaching on the floor (particularly in the camp format), providing mentorship to athletes, and helping them achieve their on-court & off-court goals.

 

  • 5 years coaching various Canterbury/Waitaha Representative teams from U15 to U17 (4 National Tournaments)
  • 5 years coaching at senior high school level (4 national tournaments)
  • 5+ years Community coaching
  • Recent appointment to NZ U15 Boys staff as an assistant

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