Rockingham Flames women’s head coach Tom Knowles departs after three-year stint

Rockingham Flames’ women’s head coach Tom Knowles will not return for the 2024 season, the NBL1 West club has revealed.. The news was announced to local fans on Wednesday when the club posted via its social media. “The Rockingham Flames wish to advise our community, that Tom Knowles will not be returning as our NBL1 West Women’s head coach in 2024,” the post said. “Tom has given his heart and soul to our women’s program and also contributed greatly to the development of our younger players with his WABL coaching commitments.” With more than a decade’s experience coaching basketball in Perth, Knowles has been at the helm of the Flames for the past three years after other stints at State level for Lakeside Lightning and the Kalamunda Eastern Suns. He also has six years of national experience under his belt with coaching roles at WNBL’s Perth Lynx. The head coach narrowly missed taking his team to a grand final after a heartbreaking loss to the Willetton Tigers on August 5. Despite a stellar season, the Flames blew a six-point lead in the final 90 seconds of the match, losing their preliminary final and their chance to take out top spot. Knowles’ departure comes after former Perth Wildcats coach Rob Beveridge joined the Flames for the 2023 season as assistant coach alongside Knowles as head coach. Rockingham thanked Knowles for his tenure as women’s coach and extended its well wishes. “On behalf of the entire Flames Family, we would like to wish Tom Knowles all of the best with his future endeavours and sincerely thank him for his contributions over the past three years as our Women’s NBL1 West head coach.” The club will advertise for the women’s head coach position in the coming weeks.