Tasmania Jewels Announce Inaugural Head Coach - Claudia Brassard

In a major milestone, the Tasmania Jewels have signed Olympian and three-time WNBL championship winning coach Claudia Brassard as the inaugural Jewels Head Coach.

Brassard has more than 20 years’ experience at the highest level of basketball, with 150 international games, including the 2000 Olympic Games and World Championships.

The Canadian born Australian national has an illustrious coaching record, leading the Townsville Fire to Championship WNBL season in 2018 as Head Coach, and securing back-to-back championships as Assistant Coach in 2016 and 2015.

Jewels and JackJumpers Executive Chair Steve Old said this was the start of a new era for Tasmanian basketball.

“There’s so much excitement to see the Tasmania Jewels join the JackJumpers on the national stage, and the appointment of the coach is the first giant leap toward the team taking shape.

“We searched far and wide for the right coach, someone who shares our values and vision to create a team for every Tasmanian, and we’ve found that in spades in Claudia.”

Jewels Assistant General Manager of WNBL Kayla Steindl said Brassard was the perfect fit for the Jewels.

“Claudia is an exceptional coach, basketballer, and community leader with a proven record on and off court success,” Steindl said.

“This appointment is a major milestone for the Jewels – first, it’s the coach, next players, then high-performance team and before you know it, the Jewels will be playing in front of their home crowd.

“It gives you goosebumps just thinking about that moment when little girls across Tasmania will be able to look to the court and think ‘I can do that too’, it’s going to change the game in so many ways.”

Brassard said it was a privilege to be selected as the Tasmania Jewels inaugural Head Coach, and she was excited to move to Tasmania to start the role in April.

“Tasmania has such a rich basketball history, and I’m so proud to be a part of this next chapter as the first coach of the Tasmania Jewels and to continue to Defend the Island,” Brassard said.

“I’m excited be a part of creating a team that Tasmanians can see themselves in; disciplined, hard-working and proud, with high standards in how we train, how we compete and how we represent the state.

“I already have a strong sense of belonging, a sense of community and a strong belief in this team, and that’s going to be the same drawcard that attracts exceptional players to the Jewels too.”

As the Foundation Principal Partner of the Tasmania Jewels, St Lukes Chief Community Engagement Officer Shoshana Wall welcomed the appointment of Brassard.

“We want women and girls to see what’s possible, and we know the Jewels will provide a platform for a new generation of role models in this state – from the players on and off the court – and excitingly now, a female coach,” Mrs Wall said.

“As we continue our work to make Tasmania the healthiest island on the planet – we know we can’t do it alone. By partnering with like-minded organisations like the Jewels, we hope to create a movement – particularly when it comes to women’s health.

“We want women to feel confident and supported, by connecting them to the right information, support and services. It’s great to be working so closely with an organisation that equally wants to make a positive contribution to this state, and we can already feel the momentum building.”

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