The Team Solent Kestrels Senior Men are heading to the Playoff Finals on Sunday 28 April where they will face-off against Worthing Thunder.
We caught up with Kestrels Coach and NBL Division One Men's Coach of the Year, Matt Guymon ahead of his Finals weekend, in this week's Coach Spotlight feature.
COACH SPOTLIGHT
Name: Matt Guymon
Team: Team Solent Kestrels - NBL Division 1
How would you describe Solent's season so far, including the high's of winning a league title, and the low's of defeat in the National Cup Final?
Our goal each season is to show consistent progression throughout the year in what we do on and off the court. We of course have faced some bumps in the road but ultimately this has helped shape our improvement so that we could play our best basketball during the final part of the season. A league title I believe is testament to this by showing consistency in one of the most competitive leagues I can remember.
What would victory on Sunday mean for the Kestrels programme and the work you've done so far?
This would mean an enormous amount to our club and community. To finish the season with a win as a playoff champion would be amazing and would cement how far we have come in the 7 years since we re-established our men’s program.
Herm Senor and Travis Charles have both enjoyed solid season’s for the Kestrels. What are they like to work with? What do they bring to your team?
We are so proud of these guys. Firstly, for being fantastic role models to our Kestrels family but also for the way they compete and play for the club. They consistently lead by example and provide one of the most potent 1-2 punches in the league.
Do you have any long terms goals for your programme?
We are about to open one of the only Basketball Performance Halls (Solent University Sport Complex) in the country, which includes state of the art fitness and strength and conditioning rooms. The club will be based out of there full time and we are looking to take our performance pathway forward in every area.
As a coach, what are you working towards personally? What does the future hold for you?
My focus will be to ensure our basketball performance centre is successful in regards to our Junior and Senior programs, but also that we can grow the sport in Hampshire to engage as many young people as possible.
