UWA Sport are pleased to announce the re-appointment of Matthew Mercer and Jackson Mews as head coaches of the 2024 UWA Maali squad, set to compete in the University Basketball League.
Returning to the helm, each coach is eager to build on a strong foundation set in the 2023 UBL season.
Alongside their extensive coaching experience around Perth and with one UBL season under their belts, both Mercer and Mews are set to take the UWA Maali teams to new heights in the new season.
Matthew Mercer will be coaching the women’s team, having previously been involved with the Perry Lakes Hawks, ECU, Eastern Suns and state representative teams. Notably, Matthew is currently an assistant coach for the Perry Lakes Hawks NBL1 women’s team and was the head coach for the champion Perry Lakes Hawks Championship Division women’s team in 2022.
After taking the side to its debut final series, Matthew is determined to get preparations underway to build on the momentum in the new season.
"I can't wait to be back out on court with team UWA Maali in season 2024. I am excited to begin preparations for the new season after a strong finish in the 2023 season, with a large number of players expressing their interest to return to the program."
Matthew Mercer, UWA Maali Women's Head Coach
Jackson Mews is the men’s head coach, with experience across WABL, NBL1 and Basketball WA competitions. Jackson is currently fulfilling roles in the State Basketball Program with the U15 High Performance Development Carnival Metro Men and the U20 Men’s State team. He has previously fulfilled roles as an assistant coach for both the Eastern Suns and Perry Lakes Hawks in the NBL1, and has also been head coach for the Eastern Suns, Cockburn Cougars and Perry Lakes Hawks in WABL at various age groups.
"Having the opportunity to work with such a great group of young men again is something I couldn't turn down. We are looking to improve again in season 2024 and take UWA Maali all the way to the big dance".
Jackson Mews, UWA Maali Men's Head Coach
Jackson is excited about the upcoming season, expecting a number of players to return to the squad alongside new talent.
The University Basketball League (UBL) is a national university basketball competition first established in 2021. The student-only competition involves both men’s and women’s divisions with fourteen universities competition across six states in a home and away format.
The 2024 UBL season will commence on 18 March 2024, with 126 home and away games scheduled over seven weeks of competition, leading into a finals series and concluding with grand finals on 29 May 2024.