Canada Basketball Announces Coaching Staff For Junior Women’s National Team

TORONTO,ON – Canada Basketball has announced the coaching staff for the 2012 Junior Women’s National Team (JWNT). The team will be led by head coach, Andy Sparks (Ottawa, ON) and his assistants, Donna Branch (Lethbridge, AB) and Scott Edwards (Edmonton, AB).

The coaching staff will start right away with the national age group assessment camp that will be held at the University of Toronto, Mississauga beginning March 23-25. Athletes eligible for selection are those born in 1994 or later.

The coaching staff will prepare the team for the FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Women in Puerto Rico, August 15-19. The objective for the tournament is to place in the top 3 and earn a bid to next year’s FIBA U19 World Championship for Women. The JWNT will be vying for their 5th consecutive qualification to the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women in 2013.

Head coach, Andy Sparks will be entering his first year with the national program. Andy is currently the head coach of University of Ottawa’s women’s basketball team, which recently won a bronze medal at the 2012 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Nationals in Calgary.

Donna Branch will assist Andy Sparks. Donna has had significant experience on the national program level. She’s been on 2006 JWNT, 2007 Development Women’s National Team (DWNT) and 2011 JWNT coaching staffs. Donna also was a member of the 1978 JWNT.

Scott Edwards will also be on the coaching staff. He currently coaches the University of Alberta women’s basketball team and has had national team experience, when he coached the 2011 (DWNT).

Canada’s youth women’s program is currently ranked fourth in the world and second in the FIBA Americas zone.