Matthew Hogan
30 March 2016: After an exhaustive search, the University of Canberra Capitals have appointed internationally renowned, medal winning coach Paul Goriss as the team's head coach.
Mr Goriss, currently the Associate Women's Coach of Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), will take on the role commencing in May.
With more than a decade's experience as a senior coach at the AIS, Mr Goriss hopes to continue his success as a mentor to elite basketballers at the University of Canberra Capitals.
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New University of Canberra Capitals head coach Paul Goriss alongside team CEO Joe Roff. Photo: Matthew Hogan.
The WNBL team has entered a rebuilding phase following the departures of head coach Carrie Graf and veteran stars Lauren Jackson and Jess Bibby at the end of last season.
Mr Goriss said he is looking forward to this new challenge with the University of Canberra Capitals, which for years have been synonymous of success and top level performance in the ACT sport scene.
"I have had success with building a high-performance culture and driving results through a commitment to continuous improvement," he said. "Through meaningful engagement with the University's sporting program and the Canberra community I am confident the UC Capitals will return better than ever as a leader in women's sport and a program that Canberra is proud of."
University of Canberra Capitals CEO Joe Roff said he is confident Mr Goriss will be an excellent leader for the club.
"Paul has extensive experience nurturing talented athletes to realise their potential both on and off the court," he said. "The opportunity for players to thrive in the educational and sporting environment offered at the University's Sporting Commons is second to none and will be further enhanced by this appointment.
"His international and youth experience is in perfect alignment with the UC Capitals' program, which focuses on the creation of international-level players rather than recruiting veteran stars."
University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Parker welcomed the appointment and said Mr Goriss' leadership will contribute to the University reaching its goal of becoming one of Australia's leading universities for sport through education and research.
"This appointment reflects the University's ongoing commitment to sport in Canberra and the region," he said. "We want to see the players, students, volunteers and staff involved in the program have the opportunity to achieve at the highest level and become well-rounded leaders within the Canberra community and women's sport. Paul Goriss' appointment will lead the way to achieve this aspiration."
Mr Goriss brings extensive Australian and international basketball coaching experience to the UC Capitals, having coached the Australian U19 Women's team to a bronze medal at last year's International Basketball Federation (FIBA) U19 World Championships in Russia.
He has also worked as an assistant coach for the Australian U19 Men's teams that competed at the 2011 and 2013 FIBA World Championships. More recently, he was recruited to the South East Queensland Stars to assist the team in the latter half of the 2015/16 WNBL season.
The University of Canberra Capitals will play the 2016/17 season at their new home court, the Royal Theatre in Civic.
