Performance Panel announced
Basketball Wales is today announcing the formation of a Performance Panel to help run its national teams programme. The panel is made up of talented individuals who will provide the programme with the necessary skills and expertise to take significant steps forward.
Performance Director, Phil Gordos said: “It’s been a year since I came into the role and I have spent the past 12 months assessing what we do and seeking the opinions of a great many people.
“A key objective has been to identify like-minded individuals to help me move the performance programme forward. One of the initial tasks for the panel will be to put the finishing touches to a performance strategy that will set out key targets for the next 18 to 24 months.
“The strategy is ambitious but it needs to be to push Wales forward,” said Gordos. “We have many objectives that we want to fulfil, on and off the court.”
The panel will also create:
- a robust competitions schedule for all age group teams
- a comprehensive player database
- a player education programme coach development programme
- a sports science programme to advise on strength and conditioning, injury rehabilitation, nutrition and hydration
- a comprehensive support system for team managers
Phil Gordos went on to say: “The knowledge of the panel members is significant and will only benefit the national teams programme, I am looking forward to working with everyone.
“We will also be looking to add further roles and responsibilities in the coming weeks. I am particularly focused on establishing a 3X3 performance programme and enhancing the U13 regional programme, so we will need to recruit individuals to oversee both.
Phil added: “A key addition to the panel is Dan Farmer, who will cement the strong relationship Basketball Wales has formed with Sport Wales. We will also benefit from Dan’s knowledge and understanding of high-performance sport.”
Meet the new Performance Panel
Head of Performance: Phil Gordos
A former assistant editor with BBC Sport. Ran the Manchester Magic and Mystics basketball programme from 2017 to 2022. Also collaborates with colleagues in England and Scotland to facilitate the Great Britain junior programme (U16, U18 and U20).
Basketball Wales Board representative: Gavin Williams
Currently interim CEO of Basketball Wales. A professional basketball referee who regularly officiates in some of Europe’s biggest competitions, including FIBA tournaments and Euro League.
Sport Wales representative: Daniel Farmer
Performance advisor for Sport Wales. Has a wealth of experience in high performance sport as an athlete, coach, team manager, head of delegation and advisor. Head coach and founder of RÁS, which provides bespoke and endurance coaching services for athletes.
Head of girls basketball (U14 to U19): Sarah Wagstaff
Director of Basketball at Cardiff Met Archers and a former Cardiff Met Archers WBBL player. Also represented Wales in FIBA competition. Has occupied a variety of roles within basketball. Coaches within the Cardiff Met Archers programme and mentors other coaches.
Head of boys basketball (U14 to U19): Andy Leftley
Coached Wales U18M to gold at the FIBA European Championships Div C in 2011. Holds a FIBA European Coaching Certificate. A PE teacher, he runs Vale Vipers Basketball Club and was a key figure at Cardiff Celts Basketball Academy. Understands challenges facing club and national teams.
Ethics and Integrity: Lucy Witt
Has occupied a wealth of roles across all levels of basketball. A former Basketball Wales performance director who was team manager for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. A Senior Lecturer in Sport, PE and Health, Director and Founder of Cardiff Met Archers and co-chair of Women in Sports Coaching Network.
Sports Science: Ryan Chambers
Head of Sports Science for the Welsh Rugby Union, supporting the Wales national team in international competition, including the Six Nations and forthcoming World Cup. Skilled in Injury Prevention, Exercise Physiology, and Strength & Conditioning. Also involved with Cougars Basketball Club.
Coaching: Vicky Gottwald
A Level 4 basketball coach, Vicky has coached within the national team programme. A skill acquisition researcher and member of the Institute of Psychology for Elite Performance at Bangor University and is the Talent Identification and Transfer Lead for the Welsh Institute for Performance Science.
Media: Nia Wyn Thomas
Currently Sky Sports Senior Producer for the Women’s Super League and Scottish Women’s Premier League. Possesses 20 years’ experience working for Sky Sports, BBC, IMG, Channel 5 News, and ITV. Brings astute leadership and brand awareness. Also a fluent Welsh speaker.
Competitions: Danielle Brown
Helps Basketball Wales run some of its big events and has served as a team manager. A former Squash Wales employee, helping the NGB stage European tournaments in Cardiff, organise away trips and awards ceremonies. Currently helps businesses manage events, conferences and training.
Team Managers: Rachael Symons
A Basketball Wales team manager with FIBA tournament experience. Currently advises other team managers. Works in education as a teacher and has organised and supervised many residential trips abroad for students. Also facilitates a range of networks supporting colleagues from 22 schools (primary and secondary).
Player Tracking: Duncan Mackenzie
A FIBA qualified and licensed statistician. Also a Level 3 qualified referee who recently officiated in the recent tournament in Gibraltar, which featured the Wales men’s and women’s teams. Has also provided comprehensive stats for the teams competing at the U18 Four Nations.
