Sydney Appoint Adam Forde as Head Coach

The Sydney Kings have announced the appointment of their new Head Coach, Adam Forde.

Forde began his coaching career with the Perth Wildcats in 2011 where he spent eight years before joining the Kings as an Assistant Coach in 2019. He was also an Assistant Coach with the Emerging Boomers in 2019, as well as holding down various high-level coaching positions within the NZ NBL and WA leagues.

Known for his deep-rooted knowledge of the NBL and tactical approach to scouting, Forde is highly regarded amongst Australian basketball circles. His focus on player development and ability to craft strong relationships with his players and peers played a vital role in the decision to appoint him as Head Coach.  

The Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings Owner and Chairman Paul Smith was humbled to be able to offer Forde the Head Coaching position, the 13^th Head Coach since the inception of the Club.

“I know how much this means to Adam – his journey and the sacrifices he has made to arrive at this point make this appointment so much more meaningful. I want to acknowledge his partner Kylie and young son Carter who have been a rock since Adam came to Sydney last year.”

“Adam will take the reins in leading our coaching staff which including James ‘JD’ Duncan, that already have very established structures and systems; but we are looking forward to seeing Adam bring his own slant to the equation”.

“Along with Paul Kind, Chris Pongrass and Luc Longley, it will be privilege to support Adam as establishes himself as our new Head Coach of the Sydney Kings” Smith said.

Kings CEO Chris Pongrass echoed Smith’s comments.

“Fordey expressed his desire to one day become a Head Coach in this league on our first call together – I feel privileged that we are able to afford him the opportunity to achieve his dream.” Said Pongrass.

“A student of the game, Fordey is a fantastic basketball mind who has crafted longstanding, meaningful relationships with our entire playing group. I am looking forward to seeing him continue to build this team into a perennial championship contender year in year out.

Forde has been in involved in four NBL Championships in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019. In his first season with the Kings, he helped lead the Club to a Minor Premiership and their first Grand Final appearance since 2008.

As he prepares to step into his first NBL Head Coaching role, Forde is looking forward to the opportunity ahead.

“I appreciate the responsibility that comes with leading a team like Sydney, especially considering the successful year we had last season, but I take comfort in knowing the strong support I have around me, and the confidence Paul Smith, Paul Kind, Chris Pongrass and Luc Longley have in me to do this job” Forde said.

"I personally feel that this is the ideal situation for a rookie Head Coach coming in; having been part of the process from the beginning under the Club’s new ownership TSE and rolling into this season having already established relationships with the playing group and staff.”

“We’ve been building up to something very special here in Sydney, so to continue on that trajectory upwards is something that is really important not only to me, but to everybody involved at the Club. I’m really looking forward to what we can achieve this season," Forde said.

The Sydney Kings are set to tip-off their 2020-21 Hungry Jack’s NBL campaign with a Grand Final re-match against the Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena on January 15.

The Kings will then welcome back their fans and members to Qudos Bank Arena for their first home game on Sunday the 24^th of January against the Skysport NZ Breakers.