Basketball New Zealand announced new coaches for its U17 teams. The women's U17 national team head coach will be Hernando Planells, who is an associate head coach and the recruiting coordinator for Duke University's women's team. The men's U17 national team head coach will be Aaron Fearne, who is an assistant coach of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's men's team. This is the first time two New Zealand age-group head coaches have been based overseas (Basketball NZ).
More than 30 illegal offshore betting sites reportedly "have been forced to pull out of Australia after an escalation of enforcement action from the federal government's communications watchdog." The Australian Communications & Media Authority was handed "stronger powers and heavier maximum penalties" in Sept. '17 to target illegal offshore wagering providers and set up a dedicated taskforce (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 11/6).
Nine-time major winner Gary Player said that amateur golfers "need to be made a priority to keep the sport growing even though the professional game is a multi-million dollar industry and getting stronger." Player said, "The pro is not that important. It's the average person who comes to the course to enjoy the game and have fun. That is key. Golf courses need flatter greens, wider fairways and not so many bunkers to make them (amateurs) enjoy the game" (REUTERS, 11/5).
Sports data and intelligence firm STATS extended its exclusive performance partnership with the Qatar Stars League, providing a range of products for the QSL's football development program and each of its 12 clubs as well as marketing and communications (STATS).
