[05 DEC 10] CRUSADER NEWS

Crusaders coach shines with Coventry Uni

By Adam Manning, Crusaders Press Officer.       

New Coventry Crusaders community coach Brian Porth has made an instant impact as head coach of Coventry University men’s basketball this season.

Alongside his involvement with delivering Hoops4Health sessions to local Coventry primary schools, Porth took up the challenge of trying to build upon the university’s impressive second place league finish in BUCS Midlands Division 1A last season as they just missed out on consecutive promotions.

The 25-year-old American, from Arizona USA, currently has Cov Uni in second place from a 5-2 win-loss record – a run of form that is due to emulate last year’s final 6-4 record with three games still left to play.

Porth stressed that having a consistent squad is pivotal to his plans, something that previous coach and ex-Crusaders captain John Olinger failed to achieve last year as they were nine points short of consecutive promotions

“We’re trying to take Coventry University basketball from a group of guys who show up whenever they can, to guys that are willing to put in the work and be committed to what is in the end a very fun game” enthused Porth, who masterminded Oxford University men’s promotion to the Premier Division two years ago.                                                                         

A cosmopolitan group of 12 makes up the squad this year: with Spain, Germany, Bulgaria, Cameroon and Nigeria all represented.

So what’s been the secret to success that has seen this season’s side rack up a 5-2 run of form? Discipline was the answer.

“It’s about teaching these guys how to plan their time and then on the court bring high-level basketball so that they see the reward of showing up every week,” said Porth.

Discipline undoubtedly starts with the leader, and Porth oozes an admirable confidence as he looks  long term to consolidate Coventry University alongside Oxford in the Premier Division.

He stressed:”Promotion is difficult but we can do it. Then we can see how we stack up against the top sides.”

Fans can catch Coventry in action at the Coventry University Sports Centre for their final game of the season against Wolverhampton on Wednesday 26 January 2011. For more results and fixtures, click here.

Right: Young tactician - Porth prepares a team talk.

  Main Menu | News | Crusaders coach shines with Coventry Uni  05 DEC 2010