North Lanarkshire Titans Basketball Club have pulled off a signing coup after appointing highly experienced Namibian national coach Manuel ‘Lito’ Carballo as their first team coach and head of youth development.
The outfit - who hold classes for youngsters in Motherwell, Wishaw, Airdrie and Coatbridge - are gearing up for the start of their Strathclyde League Basketball Association Division One campaign next month and say the veteran coach turned down big money offers to spearhead their plans for the future on and off the court.
Carballo boasts an impressive CV, having coached the Senegal and Namibian national teams, as well as English club sides Hackney Space (Eastside Heat), London Spartans and NASSA.
He also holds an MBA in coaching, mentoring and leadership from York St John University and completed an internship with NCAA Division One college team Nittany Lions in the United States at the University of Penn State
North Lanarkshire Titans’ head of operations Robyn Tierney admits she is blown away by Carbello’s decision to take the role at the club and told Lanarkshire Live Sport : “This is an unbelievable appointment for a club our size, in a sport that is still very much at grassroots level throughout the country.
“To have a professional, international level coach here in Scotland is just huge.
“It was a long process spanning three months. Manuel actually knocked back jobs in England, which were paying a lot more, to come to us.
“Manuel is a man of his word. He agreed a contract with us and even although an organisation came in at the 11th hour for him for much more money, he saw the project and potential of basketball in this country and wanted to work with us.
“Manuel went above and beyond and he has a strong background in development, which is also part of the role.
“He has been there and done that in Namibia, Senegal and different countries around the world.”He has learned from Division One colleges in America as well.
“But he was impressed by what we’ve done so far to get to where we are just now in a country that isn’t massive on basketball yet.
“As an organisation, we have always been ambitious and driven to achieve great things at North Lanarkshire Titans and this appointment is the epitome of the direction we want to take the club in.”
Following his appointment, Coach Carballo said: “I am a very committed person towards what I take on and this in turn follows over to my players, coaches, organization, and the community.
“Most of all we need to believe in what we do as well as believe in the process.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my experience to North Lanarkshire Titans Basketball Club in Scotland and assist where I can.”
The club, whose home games are held at Clyde Valley High School in Overtown, play their first men’s senior game of the season on September 20 away to Lockerbie Tornadoes, but youth development will also form an important role of Carballo’s remit.
Robyn added: “Manuel has vast experience and will oversee club development from players to coaches.
“As a FIBA Coach Instructor, we are exceptionally excited for Coach Lito to work with our current coaches to become the best coaches they can be as they’ll be mentored closely.
“During the summer, the club hosted their ‘Titans on Tour’ events in Wishaw, Motherwell, Coatbridge and Airdrie bringing games and training to public courts.”
The club also host community classes across the region on a regular basis, and are currently registering players for U14, U16 and U18 teams.
For those wishing to attend community classes or play for a team, contact the club via info@nltitans.com to register your interest. For more details on the Titans, you can find them on Facebook.
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