Coach of Excellence: Downer leads CoE into 2028

• Mel Downer appointed as permanent head coach of Centre of Excellence women's program until 2028
• Former interim coach led team to Grand Final against Manly-Warringah in 2025 season
• Role begins immediately as Downer prepares talented squad for NBL1 East campaign starting March

Mel Downer is now the permanent head coach of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) women's program.

She was appointed head coach until 2028 by Basketball Australia today. She starts immediately.

“About 10 years ago, when Paul Goriss was the Head Coach, I came in as his assistant. Funnily enough I played the role of interim then as well, as Gorry left to coach the UC Caps in the WNBL,” Downer said.

“That was my first professional coaching gig. I had been coaching about 15 years at a volunteer, community level prior to that, so it was really a test to see if I wanted to coach as a job or if I was happy to continue as a hobby.”

“The first day I walked into that environment I absolutely loved it. I was hooked and never wanted another job again.

"I was a coach for life.”

The transition proved transformative for Downer, who discovered her passion for elite-level basketball development.

Between 2019 and 2021, she was at Basketball New Zealand, including a role as assistant coach with the Tall Ferns. She returned to Australia in 2022 with Basketball SA, before roles in the WNBL with Adelaide Lightning and UC Capitals.

“My motto is if it makes you uncomfortable, then you've got to do it,” said Downer.

“Because that means it's challenging me and it's making me better. It's getting me out of my comfort zone and forcing me to work on things that perhaps I’m not proficient at or haven’t had opportunity to work on.”

“That’s what the transition to New Zealand provided me. Experience in high performance management in particular and junior national team organisation and management of programs that are at the highest level.”

“I’ve spent the last ten years gaining a variety of experiences of different levels of coaching to equip me for my dream job, which is now a reality.”

“To come back to the CoE and be able to do what I personally believe is the greatest coaching job in Australia, if not the world. I feel incredibly grateful.”

Downer is now for the upcoming 2026 NBL1 East season, which tips off in March.

The Centre of Excellence continues to serve as a vital pathway for Australian women's basketball, with Downer's appointment ensuring stability and continuity in the program's mission to develop elite talent. Her combination of international experience, domestic success, and deep understanding of the Australian basketball landscape positions the program for continued excellence through 2028.