Basketball New Zealand

Angelo Hill (Photosport)

Expressions of interest are being called for the Taranaki Mountainairs coaching position for next year’s National Basketball League competition.

After one year in the job, Angelo Hill has decided not to reapply, citing family commitments.

“I enjoyed my time coaching the side and I’m thankful for the opportunity,” Hill said. “But it comes down to time away from my family … four days a week, an hour to New Plymouth, two hours at practice and an hour back home [to Opunake].

“It’s just too much … it came down to that. I left the States to get out of full-time coaching.

“I don’t mind coaching at school [he's a teacher at Opunake High School] and I’ll continue to do that, I enjoy it. It’s not as time demanding.”

Hill said it had been great working with Taranaki Basketball Club chairman John Kensington and the Mountainairs players.

Kensington said Hill had ticked all the boxes in his first year.

“We wanted a new culture and he created that. He wanted the guys to train hard and they did.

“He was good with the media and the sponsors. Angelo did everything right.”

Kensington said Hill’s assistant, Dave Bublitz, wanted to stay on in the assistant’s role in 2011.

“We will now start the process of finding a head coach for 2011,” said Kensington.

Expressions of interest should be lodged before August 31, 2010, with John Kensington (email jk-s@xtra.co.nz or PO Box 6154, Moturoa, New Plymouth 4344).