Sapwell pumped for coaching return

Adelaide 36ers legend Rupert Sapwell is gearing up for his return to NBL1 coaching for the first time in over a decade, this time with the Central Districts Basketball Club.

Sapwell last coached the Norwood Flames to back-to-back championships in 2008 and 2009 and said he’s excited to get back involved with the Lions this season.

“Having watched it closely for 10 years and having not coached in the league since about 2010, I still had more than a passing interest in it,” he said.

“I knew some of the difficulties that Centrals has faced in terms of getting stable, we’ve had a lot of excellent coaches in and out of the program in the last few years.

“The same with the playing group, we haven’t had a stable playing group for a while.

“Putting a stake in the ground, saying what we stand for and what we’re going to be like is what I’m looking forward to the most.”

Sapwell said his expectations are reserved as he mentors a team of young cubs.

“We’ve got a ton of club juniors, the boys’ program especially has been excellent for a number of years, and we have that talent coming through,” he said.

“Within two or three years, I think we’ll be quite the formidable force if we keep this group together.

“In the meantime, putting some strategic Americans and more experienced NBL1 players around this group is going to be the biggest challenge.

“I think we’ve got a reasonable group together, everyone thinks they’re going to be awesome at the start of the year, I’m reserved on this, I think we’re still off the mark of the pacesetters, the Forestvilles, the South Adelaides, the Woodvilles.

“We can surprise some people if we get some energy right and our offence right.

“We have an exciting but very unpredictable style of play, for people who don’t like that, I’m going to apologise in advance, because we’re going there again.

“We’re going to be fast, frenetic and we’ve got exuberance and youth.

“We’ve got several players who are trying to get to the NBL1 level and another group trying to get to the NBL level.

“The good thing is everyone’s excited to build, there’s no-one holding onto the end of their career because they’re all so young.

“They’re creating a culture.”

Another element for Sapwell is the opportunity to coach his son Kalani once again, who has been training with the 36ers this season.

“I’ve coached him before, he’s going to get the opportunity to run the show a bit more as a primary point guard,” he said.

“He’s been training with the 36ers all year and had his eyes and ear open, and his mouth shut and learned a lot.

“He’s learned a lot off Mitch McCarron and Anthony Drmic and he’ll get the chance to match up against them.

“He’s trying to make the NBL as well, and he knows he needs to start making some noise and doing some consistent things at NBL1 level.

“In a young group, he’s going to get the opportunity to do that.

“The other primary players in this group complement what he can do, he’s a pass first guy.”

The Lions host North Adelaide at STARplex to start their season.