Ipswich dad-of-two Nick Drane named Basketball England Coach of the Year 2023

A Suffolk dad who has coached for 22 years said he is incredibly grateful and flattered after being named Basketball England's Coach of the Year.

Nick Drane, 43, of Endeavour Ipswich Basketball Club, received the prestigious John Sage National Coach of the Year award following a remarkable year.

He successfully led a young senior women's side to the WNBL Division One and National Cup double as well as help the girls' Under-19s side win the National 3x3 Cup and go unbeaten through the regular season.

Drane, who started playing basketball aged 8 years old in the driveway with his family, said: “It was very very nice to win although I'm not too sure who nominated me.

“I’m incredibly grateful and very flattered and some truly great coaches before me have won it so it’s a real privilege.

“I must thank my family who have been a huge influence on me and my two older brothers Andy and Simon who have helped give me a competitive drive.

“I also want to thank my wife, Naomi, and children, Oliver and Freya, for giving me so much freedom to love and express myself and follow my passions.”

Drane has been a pivotal figure at Ipswich Basketball Club and the Copleston Basketball Academy for more than two decades.

During that time, the sides he has coached have all won silverware and more than 30 young players have gone on to secure top scholarships at universities in America.

“I think I’m firm but fair. I believe wholeheartedly in coaching the person rather than the player,” Drane said.

“I think anybody in the world should prioritise being interested in helping people grow and develop and mature - regardless of your profession.

“Coaches are only ever as good as the people they work with and I’m very grateful to every adult and young person I’ve worked with.”

Basketball England highlighted Drane's mentoring, grassroots work and 'player-centric approach'.

Basketball England's talent programme and pathway manager Sam Messam said: "Nick continues to contribute to the Talent Pathway in so many ways, including the Super Region Camps and a recent trip to Paris, where we attended the French Youth Team National Camp with a DiSE Select squad.

"The purpose of the trip was to take on some of the French Youth National team and stretch and challenge our first year DiSE athletes.

"From a talent perspective I am pleased to see Nick’s hard work and dedication to the game recognised."