The prospect of constructing a franchise from scratch was the catalyst behind Sandy Brondello taking the reins of the WNBA’s latest franchise.
The Australian Opals head coach was final month sacked by the New York Liberty, the membership she guided to its first ever title lower than a yr earlier, and on Wednesday was introduced because the inaugural coach of the Toronto Tempo who will enter the league subsequent yr.
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Brondello, 57, advised ESPN she had a number of WNBA golf equipment to select from and that parting with the Liberty was one of the best final result for each events.
“To construct a staff from the bottom up, construct the tradition and a legacy it is all thrilling and attractive. It is town of Toronto but it surely’s additionally a Canadian staff, it is greater than an enlargement staff it is the one staff in Canada,” she mentioned.
“I clearly had another choices, and I may have taken these routes too, however I simply felt that is the place I wish to be, I really feel prefer it’s the proper time at this stage of my profession to do it so I am unable to wait.”
Pragmatic about her exit from the Liberty, Brondello says professional sport is a cut-throat setting.
“I had 4 nice years at New York and obtained to win a championship and that may perpetually be particular however you sort of know, I believe it was time for each side,” she explains.
“It was unhappy to depart the gamers however one door closes and one other one opens and that is the mentality I take. I am grateful for the chance and my time at New York however I’ve a very new, thrilling problem now and I am actually hyped for that.
“I believe it was in all probability the proper factor (departing New York).”
Toughness, versatility, and the flexibility to play each ends of the ground beginning with defence would be the id of the inaugural Tempo staff which is but to signal a participant.
Brondello was sacked by the Liberty lower than a yr after successful a WNBA title. Michael Hirschuber/Getty Photos
With a collective bargaining settlement but to be signed, Brondello should wait somewhat longer for the enlargement draft and free company interval however has commenced her technique and scouting on who can be accessible.
The Golden State Valykries marked their 2025 arrival with a play-offs debut which proves a brand new franchise does not imply a sluggish burn.
“They had been an inspiration, they did an important job at Golden State,” Brondello mentioned
“You see the connectiveness that they had, the way in which that they performed, open recreation and also you watch the Opals too, we’re making an attempt to open the ground up somewhat bit and let the gamers both get to the rim, shoot threes and be bodily. It is the place it is going.”
Within the meantime, Brondello will return to Australia later this month because the Opals start preparations for subsequent yr’s FIBA World Cup in Germany. Australia acquired direct qualification by successful the FIBA Asia Cup in China in July.