Coach Brondello extends with Opals to LA 2028

• Australian Opals extend Brondello through to LA28
• Will be her seventh Olympics total, four playing and three coaching
• Brondello is the coach of the reigning WNBA champions, the New York Liberty

Fresh from a career-year coaching in 2024, Sandy Brondello has recommitted to coaching the Australian Opals through to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Last August, Brondello guided Australia to a bronze medal in Paris, returning the Opals to the Olympic podium for the first time in 12 years, then on return to the WNBA was the mastermind of New York Liberty’s inaugural championship in October.

During an epic Finals series against Australian Opals centre Alanna Smith's Minnesota Lynx that went to a deciding fifth game, she coached her 38th playoff win and in doing so moved to second in WNBA history for playoff wins coached.

The Los Angeles Games will represent a remarkable seventh Olympics for Brondello who played in four (1988, 1996, 2000, 2004) and would later head coach at three campaigns (2020, 2024, 2028).

Brondello, who was first appointed head coach of the Opals in 2017, said she was thrilled to lead the women’s national program into another Olympic campaign.

"Coaching the Australian Opals is an honour, I never take the responsibility lightly," she said.

"Having represented at six Olympics as a player and now coach, the Opals is such a big part of my life and one that I am most proud of.

“To work with such motivated and talented athletes is such a joy and the success that we have had is such a testament to the wider team who make up the Opals.

"I look forward to continuing as Head Coach until Los Angeles in 2028 and I’m thankful to be entrusted with this responsibility.  

"The Opals long success is unprecedented, we know our competition is improving rapidly so we won’t be resting on our laurels, there is work to be done and I know that I speak for the entire Opals team, let’s get this."

Basketball Australia executive general manager Jason Smith said Brondello was the right coach to lead the Opals in pursuit of their first Olympic gold medal.

"We are delighted to re-appoint Sandy through to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, her success on the global stage is well documented for the Opals and in the WNBA,” he said.

"Following a decorated playing career, Sandy has cemented herself as one of the most successful women’s basketball coaches globally and we are fortunate to have her at the helm of the Opals for another four years.  

"We have some exceptional talent coming through our pathways, the future looks very bright as we work towards continued podium success.”

Following the bronze-medal success in Paris, Australia rose to No.2 in the FIBA Women’s World Rankings.

Paul Goriss has been appointed associate head coach, leading the program when Brondello has WNBA commitments, with the coaching panel also featuring Shannon Seebohm, Cheryl Chambers, Kristi Harrower and Renae Garlepp.