Posted on 1 May, 2020

NBL1 Cobra Women’s Head Coach Sam Woosnam and WNWBL Cobra Isabel Martin have won big at the Basketball Victoria annual Awards, with Woosnam taking home Female Coach of the Year honours while Martin was named the Wheelchair Basketball Athlete of the Year for 2019.

Woosnam won the state’s top coaching award for a second time, having won the award previously in 2016. Continuing her remarkable success with the Cobra Women’s senior program, Woosnam led Kilsyth to the inaugural NBL1 championship in 2019

“I’m so honoured to receive this award,” Woosnam said.

“Whilst it is an individual accolade, to me it’s a team award. Credit needs to go to the wonderful group of girls we had and my supportive and committed support staff – Rick (Foley), Jules (Julia Tan) and Ian (Burgoyne).”

“I’d also like to give a big thank you to the many people at the club who supported myself and the team in 2019; from the board, management and front office, to the extended Cobras community and fans who watched us play each week. A special mention to (Manager of Basketball Operations) Mark Watkins – the support he shows myself and all coaches at the club is unmatched and it’s great to have someone with so much coaching experience sharing his wisdom with us all.”

During her six years at the helm of the Cobra Women, Woosnam has amassed a incredible 102-32 win-loss record, and has led Kilsyth to five consecutive SEABL/NBL1 Final Four appearances.

Martin was the recipient of her first Charles Ryan Wheelchair Basketball Athlete of the Year Award, following an outstanding 2019 campaign both locally and internationally.

A long-time member of the Cobras WNWBL team, Martin was a also a key contributor for the Victorian Women’s team which competed at the Kevin Coombs Cup in April last year, and she was one of the leaders in minutes played for the Under 25 Australian Team which claimed silver at the IWBF World Championships in May.

“It’s such a privilege to win this award,” Martin told Basketball Victoria.

“The last year has been very challenging but also very rewarding. Achieving silver at the U25 World Championships was the most amazing feeling, and I’m very grateful to BV (Basketball Victoria) for the role its it’s played in my development as a player.”

Congratulations, Sam and Isabel!