NBL1 Coach of the Year re-signs for 2025

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NBL1 Coach of the Year re-signs for 2025

Kristi Harrower, Head Coach of the Southside Flyers, has re-signed with the Keilor Thunder for NBL1 2025. Photo: Will Russell/Getty Images

WNBL and WNBA star Kristi Harrower back as Thunder coach

The reigning NBL1 South women’s Coach of the Year Kristi Harrower has re-signed as head coach of the Keilor Thunder for the 2025 season.

After a disappointing 16th-placed finish in 2023, the Thunder brought in Harrower to lead the club back to the finals. Harrower’s playing experience and leadership paid off in her first season as a head coach, being able to recruit Maddy Rocci, the now NBL1 South MVP Isabelle Bourne and Penina Davidson to a 19-3 record (finishing second on the ladder).

Kristi Harrower, head coach of the Flyers, talks with a referee during the round one WNBL match between Perth Lynx and Southside Flyers at Bendat Basketball Stadium, on November 02, 2024, in Perth, Australia. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images

While projected favourites all season, the Thunder fell short in the NBL1 South Grand Final to the seemingly unstoppable Waverley Falcons — who went onto win the National Championship.

While the season end on a low, Harrower is ready to pick up where she left off.

"I’m excited to be back for season 2025 and continue to build on a great season we had in 2024," she said.

"I’m grateful to be involved in a great club that really embraced me in my first year as Head Coach, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming season and working towards winning a championship.

"The team culture and chemistry we created really showed in what we achieved in our first season as a group, and I can’t wait to be a part of that again with some amazing, talented players we have in the program."

Kristi Harrower #10 of Australia brings the ball up court against Russia during the Women's Basketball Bronze Medal game on Day 15 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at North Greenwich Arena on August 11, 2012 in London, England. Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Before becoming a coach, Harrower's professional career began in 1991 when she debuted in the WNBL. Over the course of 18 seasons, she became synonymous with excellence in Australian basketball. Her journey included stints with the Adelaide Lightning, where she won her first championship in 1994, and culminated with the Bendigo Spirit, leading them to back-to-back titles in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Internationally, Harrower's talents took her to the WNBA, where she played for the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx, as well as to European leagues. However, it was her contributions to the Australian national team, the Opals, that cemented her legacy on the global stage. Harrower represented the Australian Opals in four Olympic Games, earning three silver medals and one bronze, showcasing her longevity and consistent world-class performance.