High profile coach in Port Fairy layup

Brett was in Port Fairy on holidays and to catch up with his wife’s family, who reside in the district.  He spoke about the similarities between his own hometown in Maine and Port Fairy, particularly the beaches, the fishing and the small town atmosphere.

While in the southwest Brett has taken the opportunity to connect with the local basketball scene and has spent time with the Warrnambool Seahawks and at the Port Fairy basketball court passing on some tips.

He gave Rotarians some insights into the high-pressure world of the NBA.  Player salaries are five to ten times those of AFL players

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Brett related his experiences with the Australia men’s national basketball team.  He was assistant coach between 1995 and 2003, a term that included the 1996 and the 2000 Olympic games.  In 2009 Brett was appointed as head coach of the national team and led the team to the 2012 London Olympics.  At these Olympic games Australia made it through to the quarterfinals where it was defeated by the United States.  The US went on to win the gold medal.

Brett met his wife, Anna, on a backpacking trip to Australia and this led to a distinguished coaching career in the National Basketball League.  After a stint with the Melbourne Tigers he became head coach of the North Melbourne Giants.  He coached the Giants to a championship win in 1994.

At the international level Brett expressed the view that Australia’s prospects are on the up.  There are eight Australians playing currently in the NBA including Andrew Bogut, Mathew Dellavedova and Patty Mills.  These players are expected to form the backbone of the Australian team at the Rio Olympic games in 2016.

Rotarian Kevin Matthews greets 76er’s Head Coach Brett Brown