BOBBY Cunningham has credited the rise of a young Warrnambool Seahawks side with his Big V division one coach of the year award.
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Rival coaches acknowledged the role Cunningham had in developing the basketballers by voting him the best mentor in the division during 2014.
The respected and at-times animated coach was pleased his efforts received recognition.
But he deflected the praise, saying the Seahawks’ ability to return to finals after missing the post-season in 2013 was central to the award.
“I think it’s recognition for what the team has done. This was a team that won five games the previous year,” he said.
“For them to step up this year, they worked well off their own back. They got everything happening.
“Whoever was coaching that team would’ve got the award with the way they played.
“Had we been sitting there having won five games again, it’s pretty hard to put yourself into consideration for something like that.
“I take my hat off to the 10 or 12 guys that suited up this year. They’re one of the big reasons I won this award.”
Cunningham, 45, voted for Southern Peninsula’s Luke Sunderland as coach of the year. But he was grateful to have the respect of his counterparts.
“It’s pretty rewarding your peers see you as a person who did the best job,” he said.
“I’m sure every coach in the Big V put time in and did what they had to for their basketball clubs. Luckily it landed in my lap this year.”
Cunningham grew up in Brooklyn, the most populous of New York’s five boroughs, before moving to Warrnambool to play basketball in 1997.
He fell in love with the coastal city and has become one of the most iconic figures in Warrnambool basketball circles since.
His mentoring career started when he was Seahawks playing coach in 2002. He took on the role again a few years later with Shane Smith and Adam Steere.
His coaching resume also includes taking charge of junior representative sides with the Warrnambool and Port Fairy associations.
“My thing is not everyone is going to pass the ball. When you get it, you’ve got to be able to handle it, get out there and do the best you can,” he said. “We don’t ever hamstring anyone. If you’re good enough to play, we’re going to let you play.
“We try and put people in positions where they can succeed.
“I felt like (assistant coach) Craig McLeod and myself, we did that this year.”
Cunningham foreshadowed changes to the Seahawks’ roster next season, with the playing futures of Simon O’Keefe, Damian Gray and Joel Mirtschin unclear.
American import Sai’Quon Stone is unlikely to feature after rupturing an Achilles tendon in July.