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Dušan Božić new head coach of United Basketball farm team

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For the new season, United Basketball has found a new head coach for its farm team in the 58-year-old Božić. After coach Michael Schuurs left midway through last season, Demis Willemsen temporarily took over. This is an important spot in the organisation’s talent-development pyramid, and several candidates were considered for the role. The Serbian-born coach has coached various national-level teams, including Almonte, Pendragon, Barons Breda, Virtus and Binnenland. Alongside coaching the farm team, Dušan Božić will also assist with Yoast United’s training sessions and matches.

Božić, who lives in Breda, is very enthusiastic about his move to Gelderland: “Despite United Basketball being a young organisation, there has of course been a solid Promotiedivisie programme in Bemmel for years. Even though I’m new to the Gelderland programme, I already know several people in the organisation. In the past I played in Wijchen, on a team led by Frans van de Geer, and Raúl van Loon was my teammate on that talented side.” On the team and the challenge ahead, Božić says: “The team will consist of talents and players with many years of experience at Promotiedivisie level — a good mix with a good challenge. In our conversations I experienced an organisation with a top-sport vision, a pleasant atmosphere and a clear approach. I’m really looking forward to getting started.”

“The farm team is taking on an even more important role in our talent development programme than in previous seasons. With the new Men’s U19 Eredivisie, the Dutch Talent League (Under 22) no longer exists. Our talents can now join Yoast United’s training sessions and get plenty of playing minutes with the farm team. Dušan is a coach who fits this type of team perfectly — he has an eye for individual qualities and will make sure the team starts the Promotiedivisie season well-balanced,” says Frans van de Geer, Technical Manager at United Basketball.

Try-outs will be held at Sportcentrum de Kooi on Wednesday 28 June (20:00–21:30) and Tuesday 4 July (20:00–21:30) to put together the 2023-2024 squad. Anyone interested can get in touch via steven@unitedbasketball.nl.