Adding coaching credentials to his storied history

Phill Jones' playing career might be behind him, but the local basketball great is still making waves in the game.

While he had advanced warning he was going to be awarded the Keith Mair Male Coach of the Year Award, he says it was still a surprise to get the call.

But it becomes clear why he was chosen to receive the honour once you consider the accolades he's be a part of over the last 12 months.

Under Phill's coaching, Nelson's U17 team won the region's first National Championship since 2001 in an unbeaten season.

While Waimea College's senior A team lost just one game all season under Phill's coaching, the grand final of the New Zealand Secondary Schools National Championships to Wellington College.

"It was a pretty good year, we had some good results with a good group of boys," he says.

"I coach just because I enjoy it. I enjoy being involved with these guys and I enjoy seeing their development. Most of these boys I've worked with since they were nine, 10, 11 years old."

With five titles and a runners-up spot in 2023, Phill was quick to say that the honour wasn't his alone.

Alongside a squad of dedicated young men, he says it's as much an award for his U17 assistant coach Huw Beynon as well as U17 manager Meg Matthews and Waimea College manager Stefan James.

"It's really nice to pick up this award. It's an accumulation of time spent with these kids who got turned into great basketball players.

"It's fun to be around and see them grow."

Phill admits a large part of his desire to coach was to watch and mentor his son, Hayden, through the local scene.

And with Hayden soon to graduate and likely to head over to America to play, Phill says he hasn't put too much thought into his own coaching future.

"Our kids come first, and all the other stuff comes second."

He says he loves passing on the knowledge he's built up over decades of involvement in the game, saying it's exciting to watch the younger generation develop so quickly.

But as for taking a step up, he's not sure if the potential job insecurity and time spent away from his current role as an insurance specialist is worth it.

For now, he's just enjoying where he's at as he watches his children continue to excel in the sport he's given a large part of his life to.