Basketball Australia is pleased to announce that Rebecca Dick has been appointed as Scholarship Coach for the Australian Institute of Sport’s women’s basketball program.

Dick replaces Nicole Ireland, who is now the AIS women’s assistant coach.

As Scholarship Coach, Dick is now part of an Australian Sports Commission (ASC) program that aims to develop successful applicants into future national team coaches.

Prior to her appointment, Dick was the Community Basketball Development Officer for Basketball Tasmania as well as being head coach of the Tasmanian U18 women’s team and a National Intensive Training Centre Program (NITCP) support coach.

She was also an assistant coach with the North West Thunder in the Tasmanian SEABL competition.

“Over the last few years it is something I have been working towards,” Dick said of her appointment.

“The programs I have been involved with through the TIS and ITC programs have provided me with opportunities to get the development I needed.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for me and I am really excited about getting started with the program.”

Dick turned to full time coaching three years ago after her playing career was cut short by injury.

“I was told my knee wouldn’t let me play to the level I wanted to again so I thought ‘well, if I can’t do that then I want to help out the juniors and let them recognise their potential,’” she said.

“I have always coached and helped out with ITC programs so when I hurt my knee I saw it as a great opportunity to take up coaching.”

It is hoped that Dick will one day coach at the national level and she admitted it was a desire she had always harboured.

“It is one of my major goals,” she said. “In the long run it is something that every coach wants and this is a big step towards that.”

Dick will work under current AIS Head coach Dean Kinsman, starting in March.