U23 men

As our U18 continue their journey with the national teams programme, we have developed this age group as a stepping stone towards playing with the senior men’s team.

Andrew Purnell

A great basketball CV from an experienced coach…

Holding a coaching qualification from a young age I have a host of coaching experience that spans over 20 years and 3 continents. Within this I have experience of international tournaments and games as both a player and a coach, and I have participated in over 500 games as a Head Coach or Assistant. I have spent over half of my lifetime participating and coaching basketball at a minimum of English national league level which has resulted in me becoming a committed and passionate advocate of basketball within the UK. I am a fierce competitor and someone who values hard work, teamwork, preparation and fitness within my teams, and my work within the Royal Air Force Police exhibits these values daily. I have used my passion for basketball to coach a range of players from never played before school children to professional and semi-professional players. I have a high work rate and expect my players to follow in my example. 

Education / Qualifications

  • LLB (Hons) – 2:1 Sheffield Hallam University 
  • Level 4 Certificate in Education & Training 
  • Level 2 Basketball Coach 
  • Level 2 Basketball Referee 
  • Level 1 Wheelchair Basketball Coach 

Coaching Experience

  • 2019/20 – Assistant Coach Wales Men’s National Team 
  • Head Coach Wales U 23 Men’s National Team 
  • 2018/19 – Assistant Coach Wales Men’s National Team 
  • Head Coach Wales U23 Men’s National Team 
  • Assistant Coach Derbyshire Arrows Men’s National League Division 2, Sheffield, UK 
  • 2017/18 – Associate Head Coach Derbyshire Gems Women’s National League Division 2, Sheffield, UK 
  • Associate Head Coach Wales Men’s National Team 
  • 2016/17 – Assistant Coach Kings Lynn Fury Men’s National League Division 4, Kings Lynn, UK 
  • 2015/16 – Assistant Coach Derbyshire Arrows Men’s National League Division 2, Sheffield, UK 
  • 2014/15 – Head Coach Derbyshire Arrows Men’s National League Division 2, Sheffield, UK 
  • 2013/14 – Special Assistant Coach – North Atlanta Stingrays U18s Boys AAU, Atlanta, USA 
  • 2009/10 – 2012/13 – Assistant Coach Derbyshire Arrows Men’s National League Division 2, Sheffield, UK 
  • 2004/05 – 2008/09 – Assistant Coach City of Sheffield Arrows Men’s National League Division 1, Sheffield, UK 
  • 2003/04 – Head Coach City of Sheffield Arrows II Men’s National League Division 3, Sheffield, UK 
  • 2001/02 – Assistant Coach McKinnon Cougars Women’s Team, Melbourne, Australia 

Recent Highlights 

  • 2019 – Wales U23 v Ireland – Head Coach 
  • 2018 & 2019 – BBL Trophy Competition – Wales Men’s National Team Assistant Coach 
  • 2018 – Women’s National League Division 2 Playoff Final – Assistant Coach 
  • 2017 – Celtic Clash – Wales v Scotland / Wales v Ireland – Wales Men’s National Team Assistant Coach 
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