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DRAGONS MEDIA

Former team captain Josh West will coach the Camberwell Dragons Championship Men in the Victorian Basketball League (VBL) next season, the club announced today.

West makes the move from player to coach after an injury-interrupted Big V campaign and is ready to begin the next stage of his basketball life with the club that means so much to him.

“It’s always been something I’ve been looking to, moving from player to coach,” he said. “I love the club and I love the guys at the club, so I’m very happy to do it here.

“Having the captaincy for the last few years that I’ve been with the club, it’s something that, I guess, I’ve always desired and wanted to be a part of. And now I want to continue with the great culture that is here and get my own fingerprints on it.

“Tearing the ACL this year and welcoming the first-born (six-month-old Charlie) seemed like two distinct indicators to start transitioning over.”

With that transition now complete, West turns his attention to shaping the 2027 roster, strengthening the pathway between the club's junior and senior programs, and developing the next generation of players.

“I want to make sure that, even at this level, that every player is getting better every day,” he said. “That we’re just getting that little bit better individually and as a team. And whether it’s in the first few weeks, or the last few weeks, we start playing winning basketball and competing for silverware at the end of the year. It’s a long journey.”

West replaces Shawn King, who led the Dragons to the Big V semi-finals last season. He brings a wealth of NBL1 and Big V playing experience to the position, having also played at Knox and Keysborough.

“Josh brings great knowledge of the game and a strong commitment to player development, which will be important as we continue to build a competitive program and create opportunities for our emerging players to progress through the Camberwell Dragons pathway,” Camberwell Basketball chief executive Ross Wignell said.

For more information about the Camberwell Dragons Victorian Basketball League (VBL) program, contact Camberwell Basketball Communications, Community Engagement and Partnerships Manager Andrew Johnstone: [email protected]

PHOTO: New Championship Men's team coach Josh West in action during his playing days with the Dragons. Craig Dingle, Melbourne Sports Photography.