Congratulations to Manchester Mystics Academy’s Chloe Andrew and Jade Mbam making the WEABL Northern Conference all-first team and to Remi Idowu making the all-second team.

All the selections were based on the regular season only, and teams were voted for regardless of position by teams and coaches across the WEABL. As a result some of the best players from across the WEABL have been picked for this season’s conference teams, and they’re well deserving of the awards.

Chloe averaged an impressive 14.6ppg, 5.9rpg, 5.6apg, 2.9spg, while Jade averaged an equally impressive 15.1ppg, 6.7rpg, 2.7apg, 2.7spg, and Remi averaged 3.6ppg, 9.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, 0.9bpg.

Source: WEABL

Mbongeni Greg Mpofu has been appointed as head coach of the Manchester Mystics Under 18 National League and WEABL teams for the 2018/19 season.

The 30-year-old has been an integral part of the Mystics coaching team for the past two years.

He now gets the chance to lead the U18 programme on and off the floor.

In another key move for the club, Joe Forber becomes acting director of the Mystics junior programme.

“I’m excited about the project and the opportunity to lead the programme in a new direction, especially in the middle of a crucial period for our sport and the women’s game in particular,” said Mpofu.

“It’s certainly a sizeable challenge, but one I feel I’m suited to.

“Implementing a greater use of performance analysis methods, establishing an enhanced pastoral set-up, and encouraging players to have greater ownership of their development and progression pathways will be crucial to the success of the project.”

The Mystics U18s reached last season’s NBL Final Fours under the guidance of Joe Andrew, Natalie Feurtado and Mpofu.

Guiding Mpofu in his new role and overseeing the entire Mystics junior programme is the club’s co-founder Forber.

He has spent the past 18 months re-energising the girls’ set-up from the bottom up and is behind a new U12 league for teams in the north of England.

“We are now building a deep and good quality coaching staff and Greg will be a very important member of the group,” said Forber.

“We are in the very early stages of building a top girls’ programme from Under 12 to Under 18 and WEABL.

“The coaches are very much together and their passion and enthusiasm will begin to pay dividends as we move forward.

“I am happy to help the programme in any way I can and look forward to seeing all our coaches further their basketball careers.”

Loreto College and Manchester Mystics’ Lina Asobirionwu has been named as the latest Player of the Week in the WEABL after an impressive performance for Loreto Mystics Basketball Academy in Week 4.

The 2000-born forward put up 32 points along with 21 rebounds and seven steals to lead her side to a 95-55 victory over Moulton.

“Thank you team,” Asobirionwu declared. “It’s a team award and I am really happy for our whole team and the win that was the most important on the day.

“Also, I would like to thank our coach Ollie, who always tries to motivate us and take the best out of us as young student-athletes.”

Head Coach Aurimas Ollie Verbukas added: “Lina has approached this game in a very professional manner at practice in preparation and executed well during the game.

“She is not just a good basketball player, but also a good character on and off the floor. I am and all the team and are very proud of her and this reward is more than deserved.”

Loreto return to action with a road trip to Nottingham this Wednesday.

(source: WEABL)