Essex Rebels and Head Coach Tom Sadler part ways

It is with great sadness that the Essex Rebels announce that the women’s professional coach Tom Sadler is leaving the club.

Tom spent five years leading the performance basketball programme at the University of Essex, and is now moving to America to join his family overseas.

The well-regarded coach led the University women’s basketball team to a first-ever BUCS National Championships title in 2022, and to four consecutive BUCS Premier South Division titles.

The Essex Rebels women’s team have gone from strength to strength under his leadership, with Tom named WBBL Coach of the Month in November 2022.

The side also reached the WBBL Cup Semi-Finals and are in a strong position to challenge for silverware this season.

He has helped guide our club since the Rebels were formed and we wish him all the best in the future.

Director of Sport, Dave Parry, praised Tom’s influence inside the club and to the wider community.

He said: “Tom has done a tremendous job developing the whole landscape of basketball at the University of Essex and will be sorely missed.

“His impact has been felt across the university and he has been a shining light in helping to develop the game.

“Although his absence will be felt most in our professional women’s side he will be missed across the university and across the Essex community.

“We’ve seen an explosion in interest in basketball over the past five years, not just within the University, but also stretching out into our local communities, with our teams inspiring children to pick up the sport and get involved.

“Tom is a local boy, who grew up learning to play basketball in Brightlingsea, and he can be immensely proud of what he has given back to his hometown and the local area.”

Tom joined the University of Essex as a sports scholarship student whilst completing an MBA, then stepped up from a Player-Assistant Coach position to Head of Performance Basketball in 2018.

He said: “The last five seasons I have been able to live out a professional dream as the head of performance basketball and head coach of the Rebels here at the University of Essex.

“I have been blessed to be able to have worked with so many gifted talented student athletes who allowed themselves to be coached.

“I cannot overstate the gratitude I have for those players, coaches and staff members who have been with me on this journey.

“Being able to give back through coaching in the area where I grew up has been an honour and to do it while representing the University of Essex has been a privilege.

“It’s time for the Essex Rebels basketball program to enter into a new era.

“I’m proud of what we’ve built and I’m excited to hand over the reins to the next coach and watch it continue to grow and flourish - once a rebel always a rebel!"

The search for Tom’s successor has been launched.