London Lions trailblazer Stella Kaltsidou secures Molten Betty Codona Coach of the Year title

After leading her team to several titles in a historic campaign, London Lions play-caller Stella Kaltsidou now has one of her own as the Greek legend has been named Molten Betty Codona Coach of the Year after a historic season for the capital club. 

An unbeaten domestic campaign and a historic European adventure in which Coach Kaltsidou led the Lions to win the EuroCup – becoming the first-ever British team, male or female, to secure a major European title – saw the League’s Coaches and Captains vote overwhelmingly in favour of the Greek coach to win the award. 

The Lions won all 20 Championship fixtures to give London the title after securing Trophy honours in January by besting the Essex Rebels. The pinnacle of their season came in April, after Coach Kaltsidou masterminded a win over Besiktas in the EuroCup Final, securing arguably the most significant victory in British basketball history. 

The Lions now have the chance to conclude the season on a high as they head to The O2 on Sunday to compete for the Playoff title, which they have won for the previous three seasons in succession and would make League history by winning a fourth straight Playoff title on Sunday. 

Speaking following confirmation of her award, Coach Kaltsidou said:  

“It’s a great feeling and a great honour to receive such an award as big as the Molten Betty Codona Coach of the Year, however this award belongs to my whole staff because we all worked really hard together as a unit throughout the entire season!  

“Of course, I must also give thanks to my players, as they are the ones who executed everything we asked of them and even more, even though it was nothing but easy! I’m honoured to be named Coach of the Year but this definitely belongs to all of us as London Lions and I’m very proud of it.” 

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A full voting record for the Molten Betty Codona Coach of the Year can be found below. Each voter was asked to name their choice to win this award, with each selection receiving one point. 

The coach with the most points after all the votes had been tallied was named the Molten Betty Codona Coach of the Year. Coaches and Captains were not permitted to select members of their own team for the awards.   

VoterSelection
Erin McGarrachanStella Kaltsidou
Chantelle HandyStella Kaltsidou
Laura ShanahanStella Kaltsidou
Stef CollinsStella Kaltsidou
Elle HendershotStella Kaltsidou
Lee DavieVanessa Ellis
Claire PaxtonBen Stanley
Ashley CooksonStella Kaltsidou
McKenzie JohnstonStella Kaltsidou
Ben StanleyLee Davie
Temi FagbenleVanessa Ellis
Stella KaltsidouLee Davie
Georgia AndersonStella Kaltsidou
Marg JonesStella Kaltsidou
Marina FernandezStella Kaltsidou
Matt NewbyBen Stanley
Mari StewartStella Kaltsidou
Karen BurtonStella Kaltsidou
Allison DayStella Kaltsidou
Lee RyanStella Kaltsidou
Nicolette FairleyStella Kaltsidou
Vanessa EllisStella Kaltsidou