The SKYCITY Breakers announce today that assistant coach Judd Flavell will be leaving the team to take on a new role as assistant coach with the South East Melbourne Phoenix for what will be their inaugural season in the NBL.
Judd has been an assistant coach with the New Zealand Breakers for 13 seasons and played a key role in the team’s four championships. He was also integral in the formation of the New Zealand Breakers Elite Academy which he ran for 10 years helping to create a pathway for many up-and-coming New Zealand athletes.
Judd Flavell said “I’ve been hugely privileged to be have been part of such an amazing club. In my 13 years as a Breaker I have seen the club grow from strength to strength, from humble beginnings to arguably NZ’s most successful sporting franchise.
Our four championships will always have huge significance to me but the people I’ve worked with is what has made it so special. I’ve been lucky enough to have learnt and worked alongside some of the great coaches in this league and will be forever grateful for the start that Paul, Liz and Andrej gave me.
I’m proud of the achievements and impact the club and the Breakers Academy has had on so many aspiring youngsters that have come through and are now living their dream of playing college and professional basketball and representing their country on the world stage.
On behalf of my family and I, we would like to say a huge thanks to Paul, Liz, Matt and the entire Breakers family for making such a significant impact on our lives.”
Dillon Boucher, SKYCITY Breakers General Manager thanked Flavell for his many years of service to the team “We want to extend a big thank you to Judd for his long service with the club. Judd has been an important part of the team’s four championships and we wish Judd the best in his new role as he embarks on helping the South East Melbourne Phoenix build their new franchise. It is a credit to what the Breakers have built here in New Zealand that these new NBL franchises view Breakers staff as some of the best in the business.”
The SKYCITY Breakers will begin the process of looking for a replacement assistant coach over the coming weeks.