Brassard signs on until 2021
The JCU Townsville Fire have re-signed championship winning coach Claudia Brassard for the next three seasons.
Fresh off clinching the Fire’s third title in four years, Brassard has been rewarded with a new long-term deal, extending her stay through until the end of the 2020/21 season.
Since taking the helm of the Fire, Brassard, who was a key assistant during their back-to-back championship wins in 2014/15 and 2015/16, has maintained the club’s standing as a WNBL powerhouse.
The former Team Canada captain boasts a 64% winning percentage and has made a strong start to the off-season through the retention of six-time WNBL MVP Suzy Batkovic and the acquisition of Opals guard Tess Magen.
“I’m delighted to have agreed to a new three-year deal,” Brassard said.
“It was an enormous achievement to be able to win the club’s third championship – my first as a head coach – but the job is not over.
“We’ve built a great program over an extended period of time and we want that success to continue.”
In only her second year as coach of @TownsvilleFire, @33Clo joins her team in cutting down a piece of history! #WNBL18 #WatchUsFly pic.twitter.com/xQXoF3ek3X
— WNBL (@WNBL) January 21, 2018
Having contested five of the past six WNBL deciders, the Fire presently boasts the competition’s longest active play-off streak, having failed to reach the post-season just once in the past decade.
A semi-final exit in 2016/17 was erased less than 12 months later as the Fire downed Melbourne 2-1 to clinch the 2017/18 WNBL title.
Review the #WNBL18 season for the @TownsvilleFire as they installed themselves as one of the league's greatest ever teams with a third Championship in four years: https://t.co/UQedYw6EfU pic.twitter.com/gD7MFQCNBH
— WNBL (@WNBL) February 9, 2018
“We’re thrilled Claudia has agreed to extend her stay in North Queensland,” General Manager Richard Goodbody said.
“She has been instrumental in our three championship wins and boasts a great rapport with our playing group and is always demanding success.
“Claudia is also a wonderful – and valued – member of our community, who does a lot for the club both on and off the floor.”
The Fire are expected to make further player announcements in the near future.