Clippers Coaches

Coach Kayla has had an impressive Basketball career. She has played: - NBL1 played 2021 Southwest Pirates - QSL Red City Roar Player Rep - QBL Seahawks played 2019 & 2018 Travelled to America and completed a scholarship for basketball in Pittsburgh and Wyoming. Kayla also represented the Cook Island basketball association and was a FiBA world champion. She previously ran Pimpama Pelicans and has Coached Aussie hoops and ran many basketball programs at multiple schools around the Gold Coast. Kayla says “I am passionate to open the game of basketball to the younger generation and help pass on my knowledge and experience to those I coach”. We trust that you players are in very good hands and will have amazing basketball growth under her guidance.

Coach Caleb, has been playing basketball since 3yrs old. Heard basketballs bouncing in a stadium, and that was where the obsession with the game started. He started professional development with players around Brisbane and GC 10years ago - and ventured into coaching 6yrs ago. His passion is to help every player reach the next level, no matter where they start from. His favourite quote - “You put in the work, you get the results” - Kobe Bryant (RIP )

⁃Club Coaching for Lightning Basketball Club Darwin Basketball Association Under 12’s, Under 13’s and Under 15’s (Boys and Girls) ⁃Holiday Program and Aussie Hoop Manager and Head Coach for North Gold Coast Seahawks basketball 2017-2019 ⁃APS Coach for Somerset College ⁃QGSSSA Basketball Coach for St Hilda’s School 2017-2018 ⁃North Gold Coach Club Coach: Helensvale Hurricanes (2017), Coomera Warriors (2018), Coomera Anglican College (2019), Coombabah Clippers (2019 - Current) ⁃2018 Queensland Finalist for Aussie Hoop Coach of the year Playing History: ⁃Hornsby Spiders Representative Basketball 2013 ⁃Lightning Basketball Darwin Basketball Association 2014-2016 for Under 16 A Grade, Under 18 A Grade, Women’s A Grade and Women’s League ⁃Represented Northern Territory in 2015 for Under 18’s at Nationals in Ballarat Victoria ⁃SBL North Gold Coast Seahawks 2017 (Winners) - 2019 ⁃QBL North Gold Coast Seahawks 2019 ⁃QSL RedCity Roar 2020 Bonnie is now a Coombabah Clippers Coach, she lives and breathes all things basketball and we trust that your players basketball knowledge will continue to grow under her guidance.

Coach Mark - 2021-2022 head coach division 2 in Lebanon - 8 years coaching experience in clubs, academies and schools - Played in the Lebanese uni league 2013 Mark obtained his level A basketball coaching diploma in Lebanon Mark traveled to Serbia and Cyprus to participate in international coaching clinics with the top coaches in Europe And he is now completing a diploma with the EuroLeague head coaches board. Mark say’s “ I am now here in Australia to share my knowledge and skills with these young athletes and help them improve their game”

Coach Adrian, or better known as Coach A. Came up through the junior ranks in Cairns. He had the opportunity to travel all over Australia representing Queensland in basketball. Adrian is highly passionate about the sport and wishes to share his passion and experience, with the younger generation. All while having fun.

Coach Chris has been a part of the Clippers for the last 7 years. Having passion for all sports and supporting the community, he got involved in the administration of the club shortly after joining his son into under 10's. Chris has trained as a coach at Association level and coached for Seahawks in past years. Our past club president is still passionate about coaching and being around the Clippers club.

Charles began playing basketball on outdoor gypsum courts in a small town in NW Victoria when he was 12 years old. Charlie was captain of his U16 team that won a local competition and later went to boarding school where he represented his school. Charlie works as a men’s life coach and stepped up last year when we needed another coach and coached his U11’s team to the Championship last year. “If you think you can or think you can’t – You’re Right !”

​Darcy Pares is commencing his second season with North Gold Coast Seahawks in NBL1. He is a young and enthusiastic player, who provides an energy on and off the court that is contagious. He is looking to develop his abilities in coaching to provide another avenue to share his knowledge and love for the game. His previous experience in coaching includes the North Gold Coast Seahawks Swooper Hooper Program in 2022 and a handful of school teams in high school. He even coached at the Under 17 School Nationals for his high school. We are looking forward to having Darcy in the Coombabah Clippers family. We also look forward to seeing his progress in the 2023 NBL1 Season.

Coach Steve Yzel has been around sports most of his life and played many different sports. He started coaching junior sport 10 years ago when his oldest son Thomas started playing AFL and has achieved great levels of success guiding almost all of his teams to finals. Steve's passion with coaching is motivating and watching the kids to develop not just into great athletes but also great young people with strong confident mindsets. His favourite quote - "Make It Count"

Jakelin started playing basketball at age 5 and representative level for ACT and NSW from the age of 10. Jakelin is passionate about basketball. She enjoys seeing players develop and nailing those skills they have been practising.