By Molly Magennis
Altona Gators will begin the search for a new men’s coach after Lanard Copeland left the club.
The Australian Basketball Hall of Fame inductee led the division two men’s team through a successful 2021 season, before it was interrupted due to COVID lockdowns just weeks before the finals were set to begin.
Copeland was named Altona’s Co-Coach of the Year for the senior program and was recognised as Big V Division Two Men’s Coach of the Month in April.
In a post on the Gators Facebook page, coaching director Randy Shaklin said Copeland “brought a level of competitiveness to our men’s program that we hadn’t seen in some time”.
“I want to thank him for conducting himself like a true professional and leading his team with class. The program will be better for having had him.”
The Gators wished Copeland the best of luck as he embarks on a career in media.
Copeland signed with the Philadelphia 76ers as an undrafted NBA rookie, and later with the Los Angeles Clippers before heading to Australia
He also worked with basketball great Andrew Gaze as assistant for the NBL side the Sydney Kings from 2016 to 2019.
