Troy has been involved with the College Basketball Program for more than seven years, which includes coordinating squads and teams, developing junior coaches, and growing participation. He spent more than 10 years playing district basketball for Noarlunga City Tigers (now Southern Tigers), including time with their ABA Senior men’s teams. He was also heavily involved with coaching junior district division 1 and 2 teams across this period. More recently, he returned to community coaching with Great Southern Slammers, spending time with the Senior Slammers Men’s team and guiding the U12 Girl’s Slammers teams.

Rachel brings a wealth of experience, having spent 15 years coaching in Canberra across various roles, and earning an Association Coach qualification. Her impressive background includes coaching the Basketball ACT U14 girls for eight years, leading a Canberra district club, and nearly a decade as Head Coach and Coordinator at Canberra Girls Grammar School. In this role, she successfully oversaw district competition teams, developed junior coaches, and grew player participation.

Having lived and coached in Victor Harbor for the past seven years, Rachel has made a significant impact in local clubs, including Slammers and SA Country Development programs and Teams (U18 Men State Country Team 2024). We are excited to have her expertise now guiding both sides (Boys and Girls) of our program moving forward! 
 

Oscar began playing district basketball at the age of 12 and went on to represent SA Country at the U15, U16, and U18 levels. Throughout this time, he had the privilege of learning under highly respected coaches who helped shape his knowledge and approach to the game. At 17, he competed in the NBL1 with the Mavericks, gaining valuable experience alongside some of the nation’s top talent.

Over the past four years, Oscar has been coaching the U16 Slammers, where he has developed a strong passion for mentoring young athletes. He is now looking forward to contributing to the basketball program at Encounter. His deep familiarity with the school’s culture and values positions him well to support and enhance the program’s continued growth and success.

Alexander has been on the basketball court since he was 6 years old, where he humbly learnt some of the tough lessons of sport, losing one game 124 to 4. He then went on to represent Country SA throughout his Juniors and maintained a division 1 position with the Eastern Mavericks. Alexander began coaching while still a junior himself and has had the privilege to coaching some of the Fleurieu's best talent throughout the past 10 years. Most notably, he led an U14 Boys team to GSABA's first state championships.

Sam began playing basketball at age 7 and has remained actively involved in the local basketball community ever since—much of that time spent playing alongside Mr. Haynes. He competed at the junior level with South Adelaide before going on to play Division 1 in the GSABA for an impressive 19 years. Over the past decade, Sam has coached multiple Encounter teams and has also contributed to the development of junior athletes through his work with the Saints and Slammers programs.

Jess has been playing basketball since she was 8 years old and began coaching at 16. She’s played many years for the Saints Basketball Club and while spending time at Southern Tigers in U20s.

Jess has been a teacher at Encounter for 7 years and loves supporting Encounter students in whatever passion they have! She’s very excited to combine her love for teaching and basketball to develop the girl’s foundation skills, teamwork, sportsmanship and all-round love of the game.