Nathan Crosswell joins United as Academy Head Coach

Melbourne United is excited to announce that former NBL Championship winning player Nathan Crosswell will return to the club as the Melbourne United Basketball Academy (MUBA) Head Coach.

Crosswell, a 350-game veteran of the NBL, comes to United from the Sandringham Sabres, where he had helped establish the program as a perennial powerhouse at all age levels.

Speaking to MU Media about his new role, Crosswell voiced his excitement ahead of returning to the club he helped win a Championship in 2007/08 and his hopes of further establishing a pathway for younger players to succeed.

“I’ve been thinking for a long time about getting back into coaching so this is a great step for me to come back into an environment where I can work with the kids to help them improve and hopefully create a pathway between MUBA and the club itself,” he said.

“If you can have kids come through your academy and reach the highest level in Australia by playing in the NBL, that is the ultimate goal.

“That’s something that I will be striving for in this role. I know it’s going to take time, but I’m committed to doing the work to help these kids get better through The Academy.

“To have won a Championship here in 2008, I’m so excited to return. It’s an amazing opportunity for me to learn in a professional environment and learn from someone as great as Dean Vickerman.”

Bringing in someone of Crosswell’s calibre was a high priority for Melbourne United, with CEO Nick Truelson adding his anticipation at seeing the growth of the MUBA under the former Champion’s eye.

“It’s fantastic to welcome someone like Nathan into our organisation,” he continued.

“With his playing experience in the NBL, combined with his nine years of work within community basketball since retiring, he was the perfect person to help us develop some of the best young athletes in Melbourne.

“With Nathan as the new MUBA Head Coach, we believe we can further establish a firm and direct pathway for talented youth basketball players to reach the NBL.

“His appointment also furthers our goal of engaging and working alongside past players within our organisation to help strengthen our culture and values as a club.

“It is also great for us as a club to have continued working with the Sandringham Sabres, who have helped Nathan develop professionally during his time with their organisation.”

The MUBA provides young Victorian basketball players, both male and female aged  from under 12 to 18, an introduction into world class training methods for basketball skill development and individual physical preparation.

Athletes will be immersed in a program created to develop basketball skills, strength and conditioning, speed and agility, as well as health and well-being.