Hildreth takes over as Thunder coach

DANIEL Hildreth has taken over from Gary Smith as Worthing Thunder Basketball Club head coach.

Smith has had to resign owing to new work commitments, so Hildreth, a former Worthing Thunder player and assistant coach of the national championship-winning under-18 side of 2011, has replaced him. He will team up with club captain James Brame, who will continue to play and undertake the role of assistant coach.

Hildreth enjoyed a lengthy playing career across the country – at Ware Rebels, Brighton Bears, Derby Storm and Thunder – and coached several of the current Thunder team when they played in the successful 2011 junior side.

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The players were told of Hildreth’s appointment last Wednesday at training and Thunder chairman Frank Gainsbury said: “While it is always difficult to recruit at such a late stage before the season starts, we are delighted to welcome Danny back to the senior club as head coach.

“He has an excellent working relationship with James Brame and knows the junior organisation inside out having coached many of the players from a very young age. The appointment fits in with our philosophy to try and build a truly local team and I know his enthusiasm, commitment and presence will be popular with the playing squad, management and fans alike.

“We know this will be a difficult season for the club as we start to build for the long-term future but we are confident that Danny and James are the right people to move the club on to the next phase in its development.”

Gainsbury thanked Smith for his work with the club and added, “We wish him well and truly hope that he will stay involved with the club in the future.”