Norths Bears announce 2022 NBL1 East coaches

The Norths Bears have unveiled Matthew Johnston and Renae Garlepp as their men's and women's coaches, respectively, for the 2022 NBL1 East season.

Johnston has been heavily involved in the basketball community since the age of five.

Growing up in NSW, he played in numerous representative and state sides as a junior.

Throughout his teenage years, he enjoyed teaching and coaching the many aspects of basketball and began his coaching career under the tutelage of some well-respected coaches at his junior association.

Following his high school education, Johnston continued to enjoy coaching opportunities while also completing a teaching degree.

He coached numerous NSW Country and Queensland North State teams and worked with the Townsville Crocodiles for three seasons.

During this time, Johnston developed principles based on the importance of strong relationships and has maintained the old adage of treating people the way one wants to be treated.

He also took away a multitude of learnings from both on-court training and game perspectives.

Garlepp is an exceptional leader, role model, coach and player and is an incredibly valued part of the north’s community.

Garlepp’s achievements include but are not limited to:

• AIS / COE Scholarship Holder
• WNBL Rookie of the Year 2004/05
• U19 Australian captain / World Championship All Star 5 2005
• Drafted to the WNBA 2006
• U21 Australian captain and silver medal 2007
• WNBL Grand final MVP 2000
• Two WNBL Championships 2008 / 2012
• 35 Games played for the Opals
• Australian Representative at 3x3
• Played for Norths Waratah Women 2014-2021
• Norths YL women’s Coach 2019-2021 & Coach of the Year 2019 & 2020
• NSW U20 Women White Head Coach 2021
• Basketball Australia Elite Female Advancement program 2021-2022
• Basketball Australia Emerging Coaches initiative 2020-2021

View the 2022 NBL1 roster tracker here.