Lithgow Basketball Association is gearing up for another big year ahead with David Swift taking over as coach of the Lithgow Lazers men squad.
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Swift has been involved with the Lazers for many years, having played at the Lazers level before playing in Penrith for the last five years.
Despite switching to Penrith, Swift continued to stay on as a Lithgow Basketball Association board member though.
"I've basically been involved my whole life really," he said.
Swift decided to take on the role of coach because of his son.
"Well my son is involved so I would be attending the games anyway so I thought I could just take it on," he said.
Swift previously coached the state league women's team a few years ago but said this coaching job would be a new challenge.
"I've kind of been thrown in the deep end," he said.
"We have quite a young team, most are 23 and under so they are quite raw and need work, but they are athletic and strong and can go okay.
"We are also looking at bringing an American in, who could take on different roles, but most of all help the association with the juniors and fit in with the team and community."
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Swift said if the team was unsuccessful in gaining an American player that would make it tougher to win games.
"If we could win a few games early we might be successful but it's too early to say that yet," he said.
According to Swift if they could get an American it would be a win win for everyone.
Swift said he will be focusing on fitness, and discipline will be a part of that.
"We will train twice a week and play on the weekend, its quite a bit of travelling involved and hard work,"
Swift said at the moment they have 14 players attending training, but he hasn't decided on the full squad.
"I just haven't put any expectations on the team just yet," he said.
The first game at this stage is set to be on Saturday, March 18 at Lithgow against Dubbo.
"Our upgrades to the stadium will be finished so it will be exciting to show all that off," he said.
Swift said that despite being competitive and liking to win that wasn't the be all and end all.
"Probably the friends you make out of it and the team support is the best part of it all," he said.
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