Waters says he’s out

By Paul Pickering
THIRD-year Dandenong Rangers coach Dale Waters shocked his charges before Saturday night’s clash with Bendigo by announcing that he had resigned.
Waters, who will switch roles with his assistant and long-time friend Dean Kinsman, said his decision had been prompted by a change in work circumstances.
The popular mentor has recently replaced Kinsman as coach of the Australian Gems under-19 women’s team and is currently working as director of basketball at Monash University.
That role allowed Waters the flexibility to continue his coaching commitments, but he was recently informed that the position would not exist next year.
Waters, who previously held a full-time marketing role at Shell, said he now planned to pursue a full-time job in the corporate sector.
“It’s unfortunate, but it’s something I had to do,” he explained.
“I left Shell to have a go at being more full-time in the sport, but the reality is that it’s difficult to have three or four different jobs as well as coaching the team.
“My Australian (Gems) role is very important to me personally, because it’s taken me a long time to get to that stage of representing my country, so it was a matter of prioritising things.
“And this allows me to still be involved with the club as an assistant.”
Both Waters and Dandenong Basketball Association general manager Graeme Allan were keen to note that the move had nothing to do with the Rangers’ 1-7 start to the season.
“We’ve obviously had a bit of adversity to start the season,” Waters said.
“(But) was I pushed? No.”
Waters’ predicament is all too common in the WNBL, which boasts only a handful of genuinely full-time coaches. He admits that it’s a tough gig.
“People don’t realise how much time and effort goes into it, because it’s not only team practice, but your individual sessions, video editing, scouting, player meetings and that stuff as well,” he said.
“But that (struggle) is the reality of coaching women’s sport, because there isn’t the same income levels associated with the sport.”
Waters is confident that his strong relationship with Kinsman will ensure a smooth hand-over and minimal impact on the playing group.
The abrupt announcement even seemed to galvanise the struggling Rangers in the first half at Bendigo on Saturday night as they took a 38-36 lead at the main break.
But the Spirit, led by star point guard Kristi Harrower (28 points), took control with a 25-11 third term, before cruising home to win 76-63.
Shooting guard Stephanie Cumming top-scored for the Rangers with 18, while American forward Casey Nash (15) and skipper Caitlin Ryan (13) made solid contributions.
The Rangers will host Perth (1-7) at Stud Road on Saturday night.