Geelong Venom Appoint Championship Coach Cheryl Chambers for WNBL27

The Geelong Venom have announced the signing of three-time Championship-winning coach, Cheryl Chambers, on a two-year deal.

Chambers, a three-time WNBL Coach of the Year with over 300 games of experience, arrives in Geelong following a highly successful tenure with the Southside Flyers, whom she led to the WNBL24 title.

The appointment comes at a critical juncture for the Venom, who are looking to revitalise their program after two foundational years in the league. Chambers spent the recent off-season on a global high-performance tour, visiting London and New York to study elite coaching methodologies, while also maintaining her tactical edge in the NBL1 with the Sandringham Sabres.

Commenting on her move with to Geelong, Chambers said: “It’s a wonderful sporting town… a place where I can make a real difference.”

“We’ll certainly be looking to have a style of play that’s exciting to watch… that defensively we can be disruptive as well,” Chambers said.

Strategic Recruitment and Playing Style

With the WNBL free agency period looming, Chambers faces the immediate challenge of roster construction. Currently, versatile star Alex Sharp is the only player under contract for the Venom.

Chambers has outlined a clear “blue-chip” vision for the squad’s identity:

• Offensive Philosophy: A high-tempo, exciting style of play focused on “athletic players” and a surplus of shooters who can “get up the floor.”
• Defensive Identity: A disruptive, high-pressure defensive scheme designed to capitalise on the team’s projected athleticism.
• Recruitment Strategy: Leveraging her reputation as a “player’s coach” to compete for elite talent against rival heavyweights like Kennedy Kereama and Shannon Seebohm.

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