With the new season fast approaching, Oaklands Wolves have confirmed Lee Ryan will take the lead of the WBBL team for 2017-18 after sharing the role as associate head coach with Kenrick Liburd in 2016-17.

It’s a significant step forward for the Hertfordshire based club to have the former National Teams coach available to lead the franchise. With a wealth of international coaching experience, coach Ryan worked with England for 6 successive European Championship campaigns from 2009 to 2015, which included the U18 Women’s promotion to Division A during 2012.

Coach Ryan led the Wolves’ previous exploits at senior women’s level in the 2014-15 season, where he steered the organisation to a near perfect 21-1 record in Division 1. The side went on to win the National Trophy and appear in Championship Finals before making the transitions to the WBBL.

“I am delighted to be back in the hot seat for Oaklands Wolves women,” stated Ryan.

“The WBBL is a fantastic league and gets stronger each year. The standards are driven by the quality of coaches and I look forward to going head to head with them next season.

“I am excited to build on last season; it was a challenge but a great experience for everyone. We are extremely grateful to Kenrick for coaching the franchise and it’s unfortunate he decided to move on, but we wish him well.

“We will see improved results next season, we have high potential and with the core of the squad returning it’s a good foundation to build on,” continued the play-caller.

“We will be adding some exciting academy recruits shortly as well as announcing our senior signings. Our preparations started back in April, and now we want the season to begin!”

Oaklands Wolves’ Director Michael Ball brought coach Ryan to the academy in 2011 as the Head of Performance. Together, over the past 6 years they have transformed the organisation from a college team, to one of the brightest basketball programs in the country.

He stated: “Now we have secured our coaching team a step forward is required by all of us to help support the talented youth that Oaklands is built on,” said Ball.

“We continue to learn as we develop and this off-season is no exception, assessment is on going as we look for improvement without compromising on our philosophy to play fast modern basketball.

“Next is the addition of senior players to support the WBBL squad.”

Oaklands are also bringing in Natasha Green as assistant coach for the 2017-18 season. She previously held coaching positions with England U17 National Team, London region and Royal Holloway University. Natasha joins Oaklands as part of her new role as head coach at Hertfordshire University.

In addition, Will Twigg will make the step up to assistant coach of the WBBL team alongside his head coach role with the Wolves junior club. Statistician Chun Lam Sin (Tony) will become an assistant to both the WBBL and the junior club, whilst completing his degree at Hertfordshire University.

The programme will continue to be supported by former Hungarian National Teams and Euroleague stand out Gyöngyi Zsolnay as she takes on roles across the Wolves organisation.

Coach Ryan explained: “We have been looking to bring Natasha in for a while and we are now delighted that she will be with us next season.

“Natasha’s appointment with Hertfordshire University will play a key role in bringing the University and the WBBL outfits closer together. This relationship will provide even greater basketball opportunities for women at the elite level.

“We have a great set of coaches. Together we are all passionate about creating the best player centred program possible, we are already sharing ideas on how to shape the team.

“I am really excited to get to work, it’s a great time to be part of the Wolfpack,” concluded Ryan.

Oaklands Wolves WBBL will be announcing new signings shortly. You can follow them via instagram or twitter @oaklandsball