Tara Murray
New Altona Gators men’s coach Grant Duca is excited to have the opportunity to step into a senior coaching role in the Big V competition.
Having coached youth league men and then been an assistant coach at senior men level, Duca was ready for that new challenge.
“It’s pretty exciting that Randy Shanklin and the Gators have given me a chance,” he said. “I’ve known Randy for the last few years.
“Jackie Gibson, the youth league coach, was at Werribee before it became Wyndham as well. Some of the players also know me from my time at Wyndham as well.
“It’s a great club to be around and I’ll be looking to get to know the community a bit more.”
Duca said the chance to coach a side that has had a bit of success in recent times was something that attracted him to the role.
The Gators won the division 2 title in 2023 before making finals in division 1 this year.
“I want to make that next jump,” he said. “There will be some changes.
“There’s some guys we would like to keep around and a few older guys who still have to decide their intentions.”
Duca said they were hoping that some of their youth league players would step up into their senior squad.
They had an open run try out last week and Duca said before it he was keen to see what they could do.
“There’s a few young guys that might get the chance to step up for the season or a game or two.”
Having come from a Wyndham program that has tasted two championships in three seasons, Duca is used to having success.
He has also previously coached at Keilor Thunder and been part of Basketball Victoria development programs.
Duca said for him it’s just about building on what has already happened at the club.
“We’ll see how it all looks together,” he said. “There will be a combination with some guys returning and some new guys.
“There will be some different challenges and we’ll look to go as far as we can.”
The men’s side will have open run sessions on October 31 and November 7 from 8-9.30pm at the Altona Sports Centre.
