Basketball
22 April, 2025
New era for Hornets basketball
The Horsham Hornets' program is set to continue its successful run in the Country Basketball League with an eye on the program's long-term development for the next generation.
The recent coaching appointments are a key part of this strategy, as they bring a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the team.
The Hornets committee announced both coaches on April 11.
While two-time premiership coach Scott Benbow continues leading the men's program, Jordy Burke will take the reins of the women's program for the first time.
"I love being a part of the association, and it's a legacy that I'm very aware of," Benbow said.
"I'm very humbled to be given the opportunity because I follow in some big footsteps with Owen Hughan, Steve Bruce, Cam Bruce and Tim Pickett, you know, pretty good company.
"That's something I'm very proud of and want to continue to hopefully promote."
Benbow coached the Hornets to the CBL premiership in 2022 and 2024, defeating Mount Gambier in the most recent season.
While the men experienced the premiership glory, the Hornets' women's program failed to take the court in 2024.
Burke, a veteran player during the Hornets' men's Victorian Basketball League era, said he wanted to ensure up-and-coming girls had something to look forward to beyond junior basketball.
"I've been involved in basketball for a long time but got back once my daughter came through," he said.
"I've done a bit of coaching at the junior level more recently, including the under 16s girls in the season just gone.
"After the women's team did not get up last season, I spoke with Tim Webb and he and I got talking. It snowballed from there.
"To be honest, we wanted to make sure we've got a pathway for the girls coming through again."
Burke reiterated Benbow's sentiments, saying leading a program boasting premiership success within the past decade was an honour.
"There is a lot of interest and passion within women's basketball and female basketball as a whole in the area," he said.
"It's not something I take lightly, and that's why I had a long, hard time thinking before I decided to nominate and apply."
Interim president Matt Lovel said Burke's appointment provided a shot in the arm to the men's and women's programs.
"Jordy was a no-brainer," he said.
"He's been within the girls program for a couple of years now; he's coached the under 14s and the under 16s, and now the CBL, so you get that continuity with a coaching style.
"It makes it easier for those kids to transition into the senior program.
"He's passionate; his coaching resume speaks for itself, but he's fantastic to listen to and passionate about what he does."
To give both coaches confidence and stability, the committee appointed Benbow and Burke for the next two seasons, with the option of adding another at the end of 2027.
Lovel said the new contract arrangements were vital to the success of the programs beyond the upcoming season.
"In the past, we've done our interviews with our CBL coaches yearly," he said.
"We've changed that this year because we want that familiarity and continuity that we just find is important.
"If the players know Scotty is locked in for three years, we want them to stick around for three years. It's the same with Jordy.
"We haven't done long-term contacts since the CBL started, but to ensure the longevity of the programs, especially for women, we need to get the same faces involved."
Benbow said the camaraderie of the men's program made it easy to come back season after season.
"I love it. They're good guys to be around," he said.
"Matt [Lovel] and I have been doing it for four seasons.
"To be able to win a couple, come runners up and one, and get knocked out by Mount Gambier in a semi-final, I want to continue to be part of that.
"It's a very successful culture.
"I've never seen a more connected group; we're good mates too."
To be successful on the court, the Hornets need to emulate success off the court.
The Horsham Amateur Basketball Association is holding its Annual General Meeting on Sunday, April 27, at 2pm.
All roles, from president to publicity coordinator, will be declared vacant, with nominations open for all positions.
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"We know the association has stability," Benbow said.
"[With] stability, everything else will just flow perfectly."