Whilst 2020 was characterised as a period of significant uncertainty, WBA was fortunate to experience an increase in membership and participation rates throughout the balance of the calendar year.  As a result, WBA commenced the recruitment of a number of roles in late 2020, being a Player and Coach Development Manager, Basketball Operations Manager and Basketball Development Coordinator. 

WBA is pleased to advise that Jonathan Wade has been employed as Basketball Development Coordinator, and Mat Glasson has been appointed Basketball Operations Manager.  A national recruitment process continues for the Player and Coach Development Manager following the departure of Charles Nix in late 2020.

Jonathan Wade joins the Wolfpack with significant experience on and off the court, having played professionally in Europe and New Zealand following an exemplary collegiate career.  Jonathan will utilise his experience from coaching in private academies within the USA and Victoria to lead the delivery of a range of our community programs such as Aussie Hoops, an extensive schools programs and community programs.  As many will know, Jonathan has also recently signed a contract to play with the Wolves during the 2021 NBL1 season.  Having a current NBL1 player who has played in elite level competitions such as the NCAA and EuroCup to deliver programs in the community is sure to excite the kids in our programs and encourage them to reach the same heights Jonathan has.

During the search for the Player and Coach Development Manager role, Mat Glasson was appointed to the role of Basketball Operations Manager. Whilst Mat may be known to many members following a previous stint as Head Coach of the Wolves WSBL team in the mid 2000’s, Mat returns to Western Australia with an enviable pedigree in sports administration, governance and coach development. 

With extensive experience in Senior Executive roles both in Australia and the UK, Mat was most recently employed as Head of Workforce for UK Coaching.  In this role, Mat held responsibility for the development of the coaching workforce across the UK inclusive of the Olympic sports program, through the continuous improvement of professional standard for coaching and the development and implementation of a national framework for the learning and development of coaches and coach developers.  Prior to this, he held roles with organisations such as Service Skills Australia and Sport Australia where he worked directly on the Active After-school Communities Program, developed sports networks, consulted on the redevelopment of the National coach/official accreditation scheme and designed and delivered a range of education programs across a broad range of sports. 

Mat Glasson Experience:

• Head of Workforce – UK Coaching

• Coach Developer - Basketball England

• Director – International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals

• National Industry Manager – Service Skills Australia

• Sports Consultant – Sport Australia

• Regional Coordinator – Sport Australia

• Head Coach - Brighton Basketball National Basketball League

• Head Coach - Canberra Gunners SEABL

• State Coach – Basketball ACT

Mat will commence his duties at the WBA in the coming weeks.

After narrowly missing out on some National level candidates due to travel restrictions, the WBA is still to fill the vacant Player & Coach Development Manager role. WBA greatly appreciates the dedication of Charles Nix who continues to support the Association on a casual basis whilst the recruitment process is underway. The role of Player & Coach Development Manager will be readvertised immediately.

We thank our members for their patience and understanding during a difficult 12 months of change and staff shortages and we hope you will welcome both Mat and Jonathan to the WBA and Wolves family.