Smartt gets the nod to lead Goldfields Giants’ men in 2025

Lennon Smartt’s elevation to the Goldfields Giants’ head coaching role for the 2025 men’s NBL1 season was brought about by a change-of-heart that he said was largely built on continuity, consistency and long-term player development.

Smartt officially moves into the top job after stepping-up as interim coach for a big portion of the 2024 season when Matt Van Pelt was overseas on extended personal leave.

Under Smartt, Goldfields won five of their final eight games, including an elimination final victory against Warwick to launch the play-offs.

The squad bowed out of championship contention with a semifinal defeat in Mandurah on short rest, and Smartt initially declared that his preference next year was returning as an assistant-coach.

But his mindset changed once the dust settled on the season.

“Hearing from the local players and getting their take on how some things had gone in good seasons, bad seasons, coaching changes and people coming in and out, it was really clear to me that the club had lacked some real continuity and consistency,” Smartt said.

“I wouldn’t call myself local yet (because) I don’t think I’ve passed the time test, but I think I understand the culture of the club, the climate it’s in with a move to a new stadium and trying to grow our brand.

“A huge aspect for me is (developing) the division one guys, which really played on my heart a little bit, to be honest.

“Everyone involved are really good people so I thought maybe I should just put my hand up — more to create some consistency on what we’ve built this year and what Matt (Van Pelt) put in place.

“We’re not going to change anything drastically — if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

“Obviously every team’s goal is to win a championship, but it’s really been to help the local players and to develop a sustainable path.”

Smartt, who was born in Perth, has spent the past five or six years combining work and basketball across WA and interstate.

“I moved from Perth in 2019 and spent two years with the Cairns Taipans in the NBL, as an assistant coach,” he said.

“Then I spent some time in Bunbury and was in Mandurah for a year or two, as Mandurah basketball’s CEO before moving to Kalgoorlie-Boulder (and) I’m very happy with the (Giants’ playing) group who have a very good chemistry.

“There’s a lot of characters on our team so for them to all work together is a credit to them — for the greater good of the group.

“At present, no-one is on a two-year or three-year contract so it’s a blank canvas so to speak.”

Smartt is the Giants’ fourth head coach in as many seasons.

Scott Manton, who was at the helm in 2023 after a long apprenticeship as an assistant coach, took the squad to 11th place before being replaced.

Under Wayne Creek in 2022, the Giants returned to the finals for the first time in three years, but he stepped down at season’s end before leaving the region after more than 500 games with the club as a player, assistant coach and head coach.