Taylor Hawks names head coach for 2018 NZ NBL season

The Hawkes Bays New Zealand National Basketball League (NZ NBL) team, the Taylor Hawkes, announced today that Zico Coronel will be their Head Coach for the 2018 season.

Theres no doubting the debutant Head Coach has worked hard for this promotion during his career, having already etched a solid resume, most recently as Assistant Coach with the Wellington Saints under Coach Kevin Braswell for the past two successful years, and before that he assisted Pero Cameron during his tenure with the Saints. At only 34 years of age, the young coach has already assisted five championship winning teams, and believes he understands what is needed to build a successful campaign.

"I am excited for the new challenge, especially after the 2017 season with the Wellington Saints going undefeated. I feel I have achieved all there is to achieve as an assistant." .

In total, Coronel has been active in the league for 13 years, in which he went seven finals. He has also experienced international duties, having led a successful age-group campaign as Head Coach of the Aon New Zealand Under 16s team at the Australian Junior Championships in July. Although that team lost in the semi-final, the team equalled New Zealands best Under 16s result in at that event.

Taylor Hawks Chairman Keith Price said he was pleased to give Coronel the opportunity to put all his experience into leading the Hawks 2018 campaign.

"Not only are we excited about Zico leading the Taylor Hawks, but his experience of developing youth will also be utilised in the Hawkes Bay, which will contribute in bringing the next group of athletes through.

"I believe he is ready to make the next step to Head Coach in the NZ NBL, and we are 100% behind him."

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Basketball New Zealand