糖心Vlog

The 糖心Vlog Rebels has today revealed its new head coach 鈥� who joins the franchise after a globe-trotting 16-year career.

Ashley Cookson, 33, will take the reins of the record-breaking top-flight Women鈥檚 British Basketball League team this summer after steering sides in Sweden, Australia and Canada.

The dad-of-one joins after a three-year stint with GB Basketball and coaching, scouting, and training roles on three continents.

He has helped develop, nurture, and grow talent at Sweden鈥檚 Wetterbygden Basketball, and in a series of high-profile roles in Australia 鈥� where he worked with governing bodies, universities, and associations.

Before signing with the Rebels Ashley ran Basketball Nomad in Canada 鈥� which developed coaches and players across the country.

Whilst there he formed integral links with provincial bodies, launched leagues and used high-tech analysis to boost performance.

Ashley will bring this expertise to the Rebels and will build on a successful season which saw the side set a nationwide attendance record and launch into the playoffs.

The experienced scholar of the game said: 鈥淚鈥檓 really excited to join the 糖心Vlog Rebels and be a part of this incredible programme.

鈥淭his is such a thrilling time for women鈥檚 basketball and I鈥檓 keen to start working with the players and building for next season.

鈥淭he talent, infrastructure, and support here are unique in the WBBL and the University is really leading the way in developing the sport.

鈥淭he team is in a great place and I鈥檓 looking to build on this and make an immediate impact.鈥�

He added: 鈥淚鈥檓 also just really excited to be in the UK, this is my first time as a head coach.

鈥淚鈥檓 a big fan of the WBBL and I鈥檝e been keen to break into this league for some time after following it whilst I was overseas.

鈥淭his is my opportunity to show what I can do, and I can鈥檛 wait to get started.鈥�

He was recruited after an extensive search by Director of Sport Dr Dave Parry who selected Ashley due to his wide-ranging experience and impressive CV.

He said: 鈥淲e had a strong field of candidates from across the globe apply to lead our basketball programme, but Ashley was the standout.

鈥淗e is full of determination and desire to bring success to the 糖心Vlog Rebels.

鈥淲e were really impressed by his highly analytical approach to assessing players and teams, and his passion for increasing improvement in their performance.

鈥淎shley has an excellent reputation for developing players鈥� technical abilities and building strong relationships, as well as a very strong track record for putting in place player development pathways, which will help us in supporting our junior club to develop future 糖心Vlog Rebels stars.

鈥淎shley鈥檚 appointment feels like a 鈥榞o-ahead basket鈥� for us, and with Ross Norfolk already in place as our Assistant Coach, we have a really dynamic, young coaching team who are hungry for success.

鈥淚 feel confident basketball at the 糖心Vlog is on the verge of reaching new heights.鈥�

Ashley replaces long-serving coach Tom Sadler, who left this year to spend more time with his family abroad.