Coach Eamonn Neary has been coaching for 15 years at different schools all around the country. He has been an assistant coach for a girls basketball team in the past; however, this is his first year to be the head coach.

“When I was presented with the opportunity to coach the girls, I decided to take the offer, it was my choice,” Neary said.

There are many challenges for a coach and his/her team. Although it may seem that  coaching the opposite gender makes it more difficult, there are also some benefits.

“Girls seem to take better direction,” Neary said. “This is because girls are usually less experienced than boys, which makes them more coachable.”

Seventh grader Tamia G. is a small forward for the Seventh A Basketball Team, and has been playing the sport for seven years.

“I like having Coach Neary as the head coach. He has unique styles of teaching us, and gives us good advice. I think it’s cool having a coach of the different gender.” Tamia said.

Every team has advantages and disadvantages. Neary and Tamia explain their opinions.

“We have a very athletic group of girls this season,” Neary said. “We will use this to play good defense and score in transition.”

Tamia also has the same idea, with a little twist.

“We are very good at driving to the basket and going to the free throw line.” Tamia said. “We will use this to our advantage.”

However, the main question is, does gender play a role in coaching?

“I don’t think so. It depends more on the players you have on the team. Every coach has a different style of coaching,” Neary said. “ Gender has nothing to do with it.”

Neary and tamia both plan to go undefeated, improve as a team, and have fun. The girls play their End of Season Tournament – First Round on Thursday December 10, location is TBD