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Embracing Scott's wish to promote
basketball pathways and uplift communities. 

More about Coach Scott Balsar

Scott’s coaching journey began in 1993 with the Shoalhaven Tigers. Scott was keen to learn and spent much tiime as an assistant coach before progressing to head coaching roles and later served as a mentor. Scott worked and volunteered in basketball all of his adult life. His commitment to development has left a lasting legacy in the sport. There are many players from the tiniest of Tiger cubs to veterans, who were impacted by Scott, his passion for basketball and for the people around him.

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Scott worked as a development officer for Shoalhaven Basketball and the Central Coast Waves before dedicating 14 years to Basketball NSW, serving in High Performance, Coach Education, and as a BDM. His legacy is deeply rooted in his passion for Country Basketball, ensuring that young athletes, regardless of their location, had access to opportunities to develop and excel. He travelled countless kilometres liasing with many country associations. Through his work, he played a pivotal role in coach education, talent identification, and the implementation of key development programs. Scott's commitment to grassroots basketball and regional communities has left a lasting impact on the sport across New South Wales.

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​Scott was involved in many NSW State teams. He debuted as an assistant coach with the U16 NSW women who won bronze in 1997 and gold in 1998. This victory marked the first time a NSW Country Women’s team had ever claimed a national title. One of Coach Balsar’s most notable accomplishments came in 2005 when he led the NSW Country U18 Women’s State Team to a National Championship in Perth. As a result of this achievement, he was named Basketball NSW State Coach of the Year and went on to receive the Basketball Australia Male Coach of the Year award that same year.​

 

Scott took a break from NSW state teams and fulfilled a dream as an Assistant Coach of the Canberra Capitals during the 2015 and 2016 WNBL seasons. He learned a lot and was proud to interact with basketball coaches and players at the top women's level. Scott returned to coach the NSW U20 Women’s team in 2017.  This team won a silver medal at the Australian National Championships and followed up with a bronze medal in 2018.

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Scott was consistenty involved as a coach and mentor at Shoalhaven Basketball. He served as their Director of Coaching at Shoalhaven Basketball Association many years, shaping generations of young players and coaches. Scott guided the Shoalhaven Tigers State League Women’s team to consecutive titles in 2007 and 2008. Scott made the move to the Tiger men’s program and in 2011 he took them to their first grand final appearance in the NSW State League competition in 22 years. In 2018, he and the Tigers’ Youth Men’s team took out the Waratah League Division 2 title with an impressive 22-2 record. Continuing his coaching journey in 2020, Scott became the Head Coach of the Illawarra Hawks Youth League Division 1 Men’s program . This Covid interrupted season was full of potential and was always the one that got away in Scott's eyes. 2021 was another Covid interupted season. ​The team was excelling before the competition ended prematurely, which was of great disappointment to Scott. 

 

Full of ambition, Scott joined USA Pathways Basketball in 2019. He spent hours collaborating on the preparation of a US coaches tour and was eager to engage with the US college system. He saw this as a chance to expand his knowledge and connect with high-level coaches. Scott had his sights set firmly on the tour, and it most definitely would have been a highlight of his in 2024.

 

Scott was not just a teacher of Xs and Os. He instilled teamwork, perserverance and sportsmanship in all of his players. His coaching philosophy was not about winning at all costs, but about nurturing individuals to be the best version of themselves. Scott encouraged many players and coaches to reach beyond their self imposed limits, forstering a sense of confidence and self belief that extended beyond the basketball court, 

 

Over all of these years Scott was at the helm of many charity basketball carnivals. With the help of countless volunteers he raise thousands for charities such as the National Breast Cancer Foundation, The McGrath Foundation,  Prostate Cancer Foundation MND and MS Australia. These events bought a great vibe to the stadium and we hope to recreate that in each S.WISH Easter Carnival. ​

 

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  • 1993                  Assistant Coach Shoalhaven U/14 Women

                                 Assistant Coach Shoalhaven U/16 Women                              

  • 1994                  Assistant Coach NSW Country Development Tour U/16W

                                 Head Coach Shoalhaven  U/16 Women     

  • 1995                  Assistant Coach NSW Country Development Tour U/16W

                                 Head Coach Shoalhaven U/16 Women

  • 1996                  Head Coach NSW Country Development Tour U/14W

                                 Head Coach Shoalhaven U/18 Women

  • 1997                  Head Coach NSW Country Development Tour U/18W

                                 Assistant Coach NSW Country U/16W - Bronze Medalists

                                 Head Coach Shoalhaven U/18 Women

  • 1998                  Champion Sports USA Tour Head Coach Women

                                 Assistant Coach NSW Country U/16W Australian Champions Gold Medalists

                                 Assistant Coach Shoalhaven /18 Men

  • 1999                  Head Coach NSW Country Development Tour U/16W

                                 Head Coach Shoalhaven U/16 MenAssistant Coach NSW Country U/16 Women - Bronze Medalists

  • 1999 -                NSW I.T.C (Intensive Training Centre) Coach

  • 2000 -                Assistant Coach NSW Country U/16 Women

  • 2000 -                NSW I.T.C (Intensive Training Centre) Coach

  • 2001 -                Head Coach NSW Country Development Tour U/16W

  • 2001 -                Head Coach Women’s Program NAJBC

  • 2001 -                Assistant Coach NSW U/20 Women - Gold Medalists

  • 2001 -                Head Coach Central Coast Power ABA Women

  • 2001 -                NSW Head Coach Waratah & Bluestar – Central Region

  • 2002 -                NSW Country Development Tour Head Coach

  • 2002 -                Head Coach Central Coast Power ABA Women

  • 2002 -                NSW Development Programs Head Coach Central Region

  • 2002 -                NSW Country State Team Head Coach Under 18 Women

  • 2002 -                ITCP Network Coach

  • 2002 -                Aussie Hoops Course and Training Presenter

  • 2003 -                Head Coach NSW Country Under 18 Women - Bronze Medalists

  • 2003 -                ITCP Network Coach

  • 2003 -                Head Coach NSW Country Under 18 Women

  • 2003 -                Head Coach Horizon Sports USA Tour North &South Carolina

  • 2003 -                NSW Development Programs Head Coach Southern Region

  • 2003 -                NSW High Performance Camp Coach

  • 2003 -                Barrengarry Conference Director of Coaching

  • 2003 -                BNSW Coaches Advisory Panel Member

  • 2004 -                Head Coach NSW Country Under 18 Women

  • 2004 -                ITCP Network Coach

  • 2004 -                NSW Development Programs Head Coach Southern Region

  • 2004 -                NSW High Performance Camp Coach

  • 2004 -                NSW Country Development Tour Head Coach

  • 2004 -                NSW Country Jamboree Director of Coaching

  • 2004 -                Great Murray Jamboree Director of Coaching

  • 2004 -                Executive member NSW Country Basketball Committee

  • 2004 -                BNSW Coaches Advisory Panel Member

  • 2005 -                Head Coach NSW Country Under 18 Women Gold Medalists

  • 2005 -                ITCP Network Coach

  • 2005 -                NSW Development Programs Head Coach Southern Region

  • 2005 -                NSW High Performance Camp Coach

  • 2005 -                NSW Country Jamboree Director of Coaching

  • 2005 -                Great Murray Jamboree Director of Coaching

  • 2005 -                Executive member NSW Country Basketball Committee

  • 2005 - 06           Assistant Coach NSW Under 20 Women - Bronze Medalists

  • 2006                  Australian Junior Camp Head Coach – Under 18 Women Gems Squad

                                 Gilmore Sports Awards Coach Trainer of the Year

                                 NSW Basketball Coach of The Year

                                 NSW Basketball State Team of the Year

                                 NSW CAC (Coaches Advisory Committee) Member

                                 NSW State League Committee Member

                                 Executive member NSW Country Basketball Committee Member

                                 Basketball Australia National Male Coach of the Year

  • 2007                  Head Coach Shoalhaven State League Women - Undefeated Champions 18 wins 0 losses

                                 NITCP Network Coach

                                 Australian Junior Development Camp – Floor Coach

  • 2008                  Head Coach Shoalhaven State League Women Back to Back Champions 

                                 NSWIS Southern Network Coach

                                 NITCP Network Coach

  • 2009                  Assistant Coach NSW Country U/18 Women 

                                 NITCP Network Coach

                                 Basketball NSW Participation & Development Officer

  • 2010                  Head Coach NSW Country U/18 Women

                                 NITP Network Coach

                                 Shoalhaven Basketball Association Director of Coaching

                                 Basketball NSW Participation & Development Officer

  • 2011                  Senior Mentor Coach NSW Country U/16 Women 

                                 NITP Network Coach

                                 Basketball NSW Participation & Development Officer

                                 Head Coach Shoalhaven State League Men – Grand Final Runners Up Division 2 

                                 Gullivers Travels USA Coaches Tour Professional Development

  • 2012                  Country Development Program Coordinator / Coach

                                 NSW Basketball – CALM Country Association Liaison Manager

                                 Director of Coaching Shoalhaven Basketball

                                 NITP Network Coach

  • 2013                  NSW Basketball – CALM Country Association Liaison Manager

                                 Director of Coaching Shoalhaven Basketball

                                 NSW NITP Network Coach                                                                                              

                                 NSW Country U18 Women Head Coach 

                                 NSW NITP Elite USA Tour – Head Coach                                                  

                                 U17 Australian Junior Camp AIS – Professional Development         

                                 Head Coach Shoalhaven Tigers Waratah State League Men’s Team

  • 2014                  NSW Basketball – CALM Country Association Liaison Manager

                                 Director of Coaching Shoalhaven Basketball

                                 NSW NITP Network Coach                                                                                              

                                 NSW Country U18 Women Head Coach (Canberra)                       

                                 Head Coach Shoalhaven Tigers Waratah State League Men’s Team                                                                     

                                 U17 Australian Junior Camp AIS – Professional Development

                                 Assistant Coach University Canberra Capitals WNBL  

  • 2015                  NSW Basketball – CALM Country Association Liaison Manager

                                 Director of Coaching Shoalhaven Basketball

                                 NSW NITP Network Coach                                                                                                                      

                                 Assistant Coach University Canberra Capitals WNBL

  • 2016                  NSW Basketball – CALM Country Association Liaison Manager

                                 Director of Coaching Shoalhaven Basketball

                                 NSW NITP Network Coach                                                                                                                      

  • 2017                  NSW Basketball – BDO Business Development Officer

                                 NSW Under 20 Women Head Coach (Silver Medallists)

                                 Director of Coaching Shoalhaven Basketball

                                 NSW SPP Network Coach                                                                                                                       

  • 2018                  Shoalhaven Basketball Youth League Men’s Head Coach  - Champions Division 2 record 22 Wins & 2 Losses

                                 NSW Under 20 Women Head Coach - Bronze Medallists

                                 Shoalhaven Basketball Director of Coaching

  • 2019                  Director USA Basketball Pathways

  • 2020                  Head Coach Illawarra Youth League Men

  • 2021                  Head Coach Illawarra Youth League Men

  • 2023                  Founded Bomaderry Public School & Bomaderry Charity Trust Bingo Little Ballers Program

S.WISH Hoops Community Incorporated - Embracing Scott's wish to promote basketball pathways and uplift communities.

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Acknowledgment of Country
S.WISH Hoops Community Incorporated acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, work, and play. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging and extend that respect to all First Nations peoples.

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