Posted on 28 August, 2024
Cobras NBL1 Men’s Head Coach Pete Godfrey will not return for the 2025 season, stepping away to pursue other coaching opportunities.
During his four years at the helm of the Cobras NBL1 Men’s program, Godfrey led the Cobras to a combined 42-40 record, highlighted by a postseason appearance in 2022. The 2022 playoff run saw the Cobras advance to the South Conference Preliminary Finals, following a classic Semi Final comeback victory against the Bendigo Braves on home court. The Cobras strong season – led by Godfrey – saw him earn the South Conference Men’s Coach of the Year award.
While Kilsyth missed the playoffs in 2024, Godfrey was able to find playing opportunities for 10 former Junior Cobra athletes, highlighting the strength of the Cobra program and Godfrey’s willingness to invest in home grown talent.
In addition to rolling out a strong Junior Cobra cohort, Godfrey enjoyed some shared milestones with his players over the past two seasons. Centre Tim Lang – who Godfrey coached for a total of nine seasons at Kilsyth across two stints – reached the 260 Cobra game milestone this season, while Ben Urcish and Mitch Dielemans each surpassed the 100 NBL1 game mark. Godfrey also enjoyed a milestone of his own this year, surpassing a combined 260 Cobra games as NBL1 head coach and SEABL assistant coach.
Godfrey’s contributions at Kilsyth were not limited to his 13 seasons at the NBL1 and SEABL level, as he also enjoyed success within the Cobras U20 and VYC programs, too. Godfrey led the U20 and VYC Cobra Men to championships in 2013 and 2015, respectively, and earned back-to-back VYC Coach of the Year honours in 2014-15. During this time, Godfrey helped develop a number of future Kilsyth NBL1 players; headlined by Ursich and Adi Tomada, who have blossomed into key contributors for the Cobras over a number of seasons.
Reflecting on his time at Kilsyth, Godfrey leaves not just with fond memories, but a sense of pride for the impact he has made on the Senior Cobra program.
“For 15 of the last 19 years, I’ve been a Cobra coach.” Godfrey said.
“Along the way I’ve had some of the best basketball experiences of my life, and formed relationships that will endure for a long time to come.”
“As coaches, we are only custodians for a period of time – with the job of leaving it better than we found it. I’m confident that I’m leaving it a little better than I found it; particularly in helping to re-establish the Senior Cobra pathway.”
Godfrey finishes as the Cobra program’s longest serving NBL1/SEABL assistant coach, and third longest serving Men’s Head Coach. We thank Pete for his 15 years of service within the Cobra program, and wish him well in his future basketball endeavours.
NBL1 Head Coach Applications are now open – click here for more information
