Basketball: Saints coach takes over Tall Ferns job

Wellington Saints coach Mike McHugh will coach the New Zealand women's basketball team in next year's Commonwealth Games.

A member of the coaching staff at last year's Athens Olympics, McHugh moves into the position vacated by Tom Maher, who has taken up a contract with the Chinese national team.

Basketball New Zealand decided to promote McHugh rather than advertise the position.

"I guess I offer some stability and continuity in the programme rather than a new coach coming in with new ideas," McHugh said.

"This way we can build on the success of the existing programme."

McHugh, who has coached in the Australian women's basketball league, has a proven record in New Zealand, winning the 2003 NBL coach of the year award after guiding the Saints from the brink of oblivion to the league title.

The Tall Ferns surprised their critics by making the Olympic Games quarterfinals, beating China and Korea in the process.

They face a world championship qualifying series against Australia in August, but their main aim is a medal at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in March.

McHugh and the team management have selected a squad of 35, which will be trimmed to 20 for their first training camp during the Queen's Birthday weekend in June.

- NZPA