Can Flynn Guide the Spectres Back to the Postseason?

The Nunawading Spectres women’s program is looking to return to the NBL1 South postseason under the leadership of Head Coach Paul Flynn. Flynn, who spent the NBL1 offseason guiding the Mainland Pouakai in New Zealand’s Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa league, led the Pouakai to a franchise-best record, a minor premiership, and a home semi-final. Now, he turns his attention back to Nunawading, aiming to restore the Spectres as a playoff force.

Under Flynn, the Spectres were a regular fixture in the postseason, but they have fallen short the past two years. A key offseason focus was bolstering the frontcourt, and the Spectres have done just that with the additions of Tauranga Whai import Laina Snyder and University of Florida product Faith Dut.

Snyder, a proven winner, is no stranger to Australian basketball. She began her professional career with the Willeton Tigers in Western Australia before making stops in Germany, Luxembourg, Greece, and New Zealand, bringing championship standards to every team she’s played for. Flynn is confident she will be a game-changer for Nunawading.

“Laina is an incredible leader who plays hard on both sides of the ball,” Flynn said. “She is the ultimate competitor, driving high-performance standards and getting the very best from herself and her teammates.”

Dut, meanwhile, arrives in Australia following a stint in Spain after an impressive collegiate career at the University of Florida. The 6’4” center adds much-needed rim protection to the Spectres, a defensive presence the team has lacked in recent years.

“We’re excited to see what Faith can do in this league,” Flynn said. “She is a young big, very much at the start of her professional journey, but we can already tell the sky is the limit for her.”

“Faith is incredibly coachable, and we can see progressions at both ends every session. She’s long and versatile, and we’re looking forward to growing with her across the 2025 season.”

The Spectres will also welcome back key leaders in captain Rachel Antoniadou and Rachel Brewster, both of whom bring valuable WNBL experience.

“The two Rachels have been the cornerstones of our program for years, and we will again lean on them to drive forward what it means to represent the Nunawading Spectres,” Flynn said. “Both are unique in their leadership styles, but they are undoubtedly the ones our core group looks to as we build out our program this season.”

Izzy Feller, who had a breakout season in 2024 before an early exit for a European vacation, is also back and primed for another big year.

“We’ve seen what Izzy is capable of at NBL1 level. The challenge for her is to not only back it up but bring it on a consistent basis this season,” Flynn said. “For this team to be successful, we need Izzy to be assertive with the ball in hand and become a consistent three-way scoring threat. If we can pair that with her length and athleticism on the defensive end, she’s a genuine threat in this league who could see opportunities beyond NBL1.”

The NBL1 South remains as competitive as ever, and Flynn acknowledges the challenge ahead.

“This league, and specifically the South conference, continues to improve year on year. There’s no night off in the South, with every team capable of getting wins,” he said. “Last year, we competed on most nights for 30-35 minutes but lacked the grit to fight it across the line – there were so many games we let slip in small but costly patches. It’s been a growth opportunity for us, and we haven’t let it slide. The core group has worked tirelessly in the offseason, and we’ve made key additions that we’re confident can help us improve where necessary. But we’re conscious that so has everyone else, so nothing is a given.”

Flynn’s experience in New Zealand proves he knows how to turn a team around. In just one season, he transformed the Pouakai from cellar dwellers to title contenders, a feat he credits to the team’s defensive commitment.

“We were exceptional defensively in the half-court. It wasn’t something we were great at on day one, but we had buy-in across the group and built one of the best defenses in the league,” Flynn said. The Pouakai went from being easy beats to giant killers, winning the season series over every team bar eventual champions, the Tauranga Whai.

Now, Flynn is looking to replicate that defensive identity with the Spectres. If he can get the same buy-in from his squad, Nunawading could once again be an unsuspecting force in NBL1 South. The pieces are in place - the challenge is now in executing.

With a refreshed roster and a renewed focus, can Paul Flynn guide the Spectres back to the playoffs? Time will tell, but if history is any indicator, Nunawading fans have plenty to be excited about in 2025.