GAME CENTRE
ONE of Newcastle Basketball’s favourite sons, Josh Morgan has been appointed head coach of the Newcastle Falcons men’s team for the 2024 NBL1 East season.
The Newcastle born-and-bred father of four has coached junior club and representative teams since calling time on his playing career five years ago, has been on the coaching staff for several NSW junior teams, and has headed up the Newcastle-based State Performance Program for Basketball NSW.
2024 Newcastle Falcons NBL1 East Men’s Coach Josh Morgan
Josh will replace Peter Astley, who coached the Falcons to the play-offs in their past two NBL1 East campaigns.
“I feel privileged to be given the reins of the NBL1 men’s team for 2024,” said Josh, who is pictured with 2024 Newcastle Falcons women’s coach Kristy Bultitude.
“I am looking forward to locking some guys in and getting stuck into our preparation and pre-season with them all, and continuing our club’s great tradition.”
After a long, celebrated career as a Newcastle junior and senior representative player, Josh retired on a high at the end of the 2018 Waratah Basketball League season, leading his home-town team to a championship.
An unselfish, unassuming point guard with a team-first mentality, Josh’s playing career highlights included:
- representing the Hunter Pirates in the National Basketball League from 2003 to 2006;
- touring China and playing Oceania Games with an Australian select team coached by Rob Beveridge;
- helping NSW win the gold medal at the Under-20 National Championships in 2000.
After the Falcons reached the NBL1 East play-offs for the past two seasons, Newcastle Basketball General Manager Matt Neason believes Josh is the right coach to oversee the team’s overall development and improvement to take them even further.
“Josh has been a leader of our team as a player, so it’s great to see him complete the transition and lead our men’s team as head coach. His experience in elite environments is going to be invaluable,” Neason said.
“He has the respect of the playing group which was very important. This team is built around a strong local contingent and we want to make sure we keep them together for many years to come.
“We felt that we were really close last season. A few points here and there and the season could have ended very differently.
“Josh is focused on creating a competitive training environment, progressing the development of some of our younger players to fill out the roster, and developing the belief within the group to take that next step.”
