The University of Worcester has appointed an experienced coach as its new Director of Basketball.
Dale Ryan comes from Australia to take up his position in the New Year with a wealth of experience as a professional coach, mentor and high performance manager.
A key part of his role will be to oversee the strategic development of all forms of basketball within the University setting and to work with Wolves Head Coach Paul James and the professional Wolves programme.
Mr Ryan's 15-year coaching career includes spells as an Assistant Coach with the Brisbane Bullets in the National Basketball League from 2004 to 2008 and Head Coach of the Brisbane Capitals in the Queensland Basketball League from 2009 to 2012.
As a high performance manager or director of coaching, Mr Ryan has been involved in delivering player and coach development programmes across a number of prestigious organisations including Basketball Victoria, Basketball Queensland and the Maribyrnong Sports Academy.
His involvement in Australian state and national junior team programmes included working with a number of current NBA players including Dante Exum (Utah Jazz), Aron Baynes (Detroit Pistons) and recent number 1 draft pick Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers).
More recently, Mr Ryan, from Melbourne, was a member of the coaching staff of the Victoria Men's team that won the Australian under 20 National Championships earlier this year.
Mr Ryan said: "I am very honoured to have been chosen by the University for this role as it is clearly a very exciting opportunity.
"I look forward to working with Head Coach Paul James, university staff and students and the Worcester community to deliver a world class experience across all aspects of the basketball programme at the University of Worcester."
The University of Worcester is one of the leading higher education basketball institutes in Europe.
Alongside developing its professional team, the Worcester Wolves, a key part of the University vision is to extend current international partnerships that include Lithuania, Valencia and China as the University's global impact continues to grow.
The University recently launched its National Basketball Heritage Centre and is a founder member of the European Basketball Research Centre.
Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor (Inclusive Sport & Educational Development) and Head of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, Mick Donovan, said: "We have engaged in a thorough selection process to secure the right person for this role and it will be critical for our future growth and success.
"Dale's strategic leadership will be invaluable when developing players within our expanding programme.
"The experience that Dale brings will benefit several areas of our work that include partnerships and student/athlete development."
Head Coach of BBL side, Worcester Wolves, Paul James said: "It was really interesting to meet Dale as we share many common philosophies and I am really looking forward to working with him and think that we will make a formidable team."