Opportunity Knops
Tagged in: NBL
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One of Canterbury basketball’s most respected and experienced figures РBert Knops Рwill return to coach the Canterbury Rams for the next two years in the Dominion Finance NBL.
His contract reunites Knops with the franchise after 17 continuous years’ involvement as either a player or coach from 1984-99. During that time the Rams were one of the most successful in the NBL collecting four national titles in 1986, 1989, 1990 and 1992, and finished runners-up on four occasions.
In his most recent year as coach, Knops steered the Rams to the NBL final in Christchurch in 1999, the last time Canterbury made the grand final. Their only other playoff appearance since came in 2002.
The two-year deal allows Knops to lead a rebuilding process of the franchise and work with local players he has developed with recent Canterbury U23 sides.
“I am excited about the opportunity to once again be able to develop local talent, to enhance the standing of the Rams in the competition ladder and once again aim to become one of the leading franchises in the NBL,” he said .
Assisting Knops on the sideline will be Terry Brunel, who has filled that role with the Rams over the past two seasons. Brunel and Knops were team-mates during the Rams’ “glory days” of success.
“I am thrilled to be working alongside Bert and look forward to learning from him as we take the next step with this promising group of Canterbury players,” said Brunel.
Knops is experienced across all levels of basketball both internationally, as an assistant coach of the Tall Blacks and NZ U20 team, and locally with the NBL, Canterbury junior teams and Aranui High School sides.
He has had tremendous success with Canterbury U23 sides, steering them to 12 national championship finals appearances and winning seven titles before the grade was disbanded this year. During the three years he coached Kaikoura in the Men’s National Second Division Competition (CBL), they made the grand final and won one title.
As a player, Knops is a former Canterbury representative and Tall Black, having been one of the very few to play all five positions on the court for his country.
In all, he holds a remarkable record of 26 appearances in national championship grand finals as either a player or coach, winning 15 titles.
Knops will continue as the Head of Physical Education and Sport at Aranui High School, where he is also the Director of the Basketball Academy.
“We are thrilled to have someone the calibre of Bert Knops coaching the Rams once again,” said CBA president Peter Dwan.
“He is very loyal and committed to outcomes of the team and will bring plenty of knowledge and experience to this young side as they continue to develop.”
“The two-year term fits in well with the remainder of the management contract which Canterbury Basketball commenced this season with the Rams.”
The Rams season will tip-off on Saturday, March 1, at Cowles Stadium against South Island rivals Nelson Giants.
