The Brock Badgers women’s basketball team is headed into the new year with a new coach at the helm. 

Welland native Mike Rao is moving over from his role as an assistant coach with the men’s basketball team to take on the role of interim head coach of the Badgers women’s program.

Rao coached the Notre Dame high school boys basketball team for 36 years before joining the Badgers in 2016. He played a key role under coach Charles Kissi last year as the men’s team made it to the U SPORTS National Championships for the first time in 10 years.

Brock Sports Director Neil Lumsden said Rao was the perfect fit for the role.

“Mike brings great depth and experience as head coach of the women’s basketball program. His familiarity with both of Brock’s basketball programs and his coaching experience and basketball acumen make him a perfect choice to lead these highly motivated student athletes,” he said. 

The Badgers women’s team finished seventh in the OUA West Division last year with a 6-18 record. Rao said his aim for 2018-19 is simply to get the team working hard and giving their all in every practice and game.

“We’ve been on the court every day and my only goal right now is to see what everyone brings to the table,” he said. “As long as they give me effort, we’ll deal with the mistakes and those little things. I don’t have many rules or high expectations, by my one rule is that they come out every day and work hard.”

One of the highlights of the 2017-18 season came at the end of the year, when rookie guard Kristin Gallant was named to the OUA all-star game. Rao said the Halifax native’s talent will be relied upon in the upcoming season, but he’s not putting any extra pressure on her.

“I’ve got five players out there so I don’t want to rely on just one,” he said. “Kristin is a very good, physical player and she’s going to be a big piece of the puzzle. But I want everyone to be part of the bigger picture. I just need her to contribute the way I think she can. If we win a game, I don’t want it to be just because of her and if we lose a game, it won’t be just because of her.” 

The Badgers will open the 2018-19 season with tryouts being held Friday, Sept. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon. in Bob Davis Gymnasium.

The regular season gets under way Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27 when the Badgers host a doubleheader against Laurier and Guelph, respectively. The women’s games start at 6 p.m. at Bob Davis Gymnasium with the Badgers men’s team to play the same two teams starting at 8 p.m.