Basketball Wales Confirms Coaching Appointments for 2025 Home Nations Tournaments
Basketball Wales has announced the head and assistant coaching teams for its national youth squads ahead of the 2025 Home Nations Tournaments. Taking place across East Kilbride, Manchester, and Cardiff, these events will bring together top U14, U15, and U17 talent from Wales, Scotland, England, and Ireland. The newly appointed coaches will lead teams across both the boys’ and girls’ age groups, playing a key role in the development and performance of the country’s most promising young athletes.
Boys’ Programme
Head Coaches
- U14s – Jacob Dearman (Worcester Wolves)
- U15s – Marc Moral (London Elite)
- U17s – Sterling Muschett (London Thunder)
Assistant Coaches
- U14s – Nikolay Bakrachev (Vale Vipers)
- U15s – Jamie Tong (Gravesend Spartans / Aspire South Boys Coach)
- U17s – Doug Llewellin (Plymouth Patriots / Plymouth Marjon University)
- U17s (Second Assistant) – Bradley Payne (Swansea Storm / West Wales Dragons)
Girls’ Programme
Head Coaches
- U14s – Gem Salmon (West Brom Basketball / Lead Aspire Girls Coach Central)
- U15s – Pentxo Cervantes (Cardiff Archers)
- U17s – Caitlin Reed (Cardiff Archers)
Assistant Coaches
- U14s – Neva Hughes (Cardiff Archers)
- U15s – James Turner (Charnwood Riders / Loughborough Riders)
- U17s – George Walker (Oaklands Wolves Academy – Lead for Development)
Reflecting on the appointments, Basketball Wales’ Head of Performance, Phil Gordos, said:
“We received a large number of high-quality applications from coaches across the UK who were keen to be part of our revamped youth performance programme. It’s clear that the changes we’ve made are being recognised. I’d like to thank the performance panel for helping us reach such a strong position.”
Performance Manager Danny Williams added:
“We’re really excited to have such a high calibre of coaching staff supporting our national team programme. This marks the first step on our journey towards excellence.”
The Youth Home Nations tournaments are set to be a highlight of the 2025 basketball calendar. The U15 competition will be held from 30 May to 1 June at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester. The U14 tournament will take place from 13 to 15 June at PlaySport in East Kilbride, while the U17s will close the series with their tournament in Cardiff from 27 to 29 June at Archers Arena.
Tickets for the U17 tournament in Cardiff will be available soon. Supporters are encouraged to check the Basketball Wales website and social media channels for updates.
