Webster takes reins of Hoops Capital Academy
The Hoops Capital Academy continues to spread its wings, with in-term and holiday programs now delivered in five venues across Sydney, and with a sixth venue added in April 2023.
To manage the Academy`s growth and ensure that it continues to deliver high-quality programs across Sydney, Hoops Capital has appointed a new academy director, Phil Webster – who started in the role this month.
“We are at such an amazing point right now in 2023 with basketball,” Webster said.
“We currently have the most Australians in the NBA, WNBA and US college system, not to mention the recent results and excitement with Lauren Jackson returning and our bronze in Sydney [FIBA Women’s World Cup] and Tokyo [2020 Olympic Games].”
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FLAMES TICKETS NOW
Webster went on to say “Hoops Capital has a very broad-based and ambitious growth plan for HCA and it’s remarkable what they have already been able to achieve in the first 12 months of operation. And I am just excited to be a part of that.
“HCA is currently working with or developing plans and supporting, schools, teachers, coaches, associations and council basketball facilities as well as delivering a variety of both fun-based and elite developmental programs.”
With the Sydney Kings and Sydney Flames at the “pointy end” of the Hoops Capital program, HCA is in a unique position as the only academy in Australia aligned to both a professional men’s and women`s program.
Webster sees incredible growth potential in the women`s game.
“I want to focus on building female participation rates in all of our programs, be it schools, camps, high-performance programs or the school’s shootout event,” he said.
Webster’s love for hoops started with the Manly-Warringah Basketball Association, where he played at a junior and senior level before transitioning into the coaching ranks, where he led his under 18s sides to Sydney and NSW Championships in the 1990s.
This led to him being a head coach at independent schools Knox and Shore, as well as touring the United States and Canada with All Star teams.
In 2008, Webster created the highly regarded Sydney Schools Shootout for boys and added the girl’s event in 2013, bringing public, private and interstate teams together over two days, with international teams also involved over the years.”
CALLING ALL COACHES 📣
You’re invited to the inner sanctum of the Hoops Capital club. Coaches will be provided access to various assets that will be relevant at all levels of coaching from the Sydney Kings and Sydney Flames.
For more information: https://t.co/xGltp4WzRu pic.twitter.com/p934lXROQL
— Sydney Flames (@TheSydneyFlames) January 5, 2023
With the events now coming under the Hoops Capital umbrella, Webster is excited to see where the organisation takes these events.
The plan includes incorporating music and lifestyle elements into the 2023 editions.
The tournaments will be rebranded over the coming months, becoming the Sydney Flames Schools Shootout (scheduled for April) and the Sydney Kings Schools Shootout (taking place in October).
With the competition finalists playing curtain raisers for the Kings and Flames teams next season
With the Hoops Capital schools’ programs also being launched in 2023, Webster’s understanding of the high school space will be pivotal to the success of that program.
“My understanding of the complexity of school systems and the demands of association basketball and managing competing interests will give us a real advantage as we roll out our programs across Sydney,” said Webster.
Webster concluded by saying that “basketball, is on the rise, and Hoops Capital is leading the charge in Sydney – It’s an exciting time, we have big plans and a real opportunity to change the game not just in Basketball but in junior sport in Sydney. I`m looking forward to the challenge. “
To find out how you can join all the HCA fun, please visit here.