Rich Chambers was named as the new head coach of the University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball team on June 13, 2011.
Chambers, of Port Moody, B.C., is also the head coach of the Canadian junior women's basketball squad, a position he has held since July, 2008. He previously coached at Terry Fox High School in Coquitlam, and at Simon Fraser and UBC in the university ranks. He was also named as the first head coach of the IBL's Vancouver Titans franchise.
"I am extremely excited about my appointment as head coach of the University of Victoria’s women’s basketball program," Chambers said. "I am looking forward to being a part of a leadership team at UVic as it is committed to a vision that includes honouring tradition, inspiring character, building community and striving for excellence. My first priority is to meet with the girls and create a vision for the upcoming season. We want to create an environment where the girls acquire a love for the game and a ferocious appetite to improve and compete."
No stranger to Canadian university basketball, Chambers was also the assistant coach for Canada at the FISU Games in Korea in 2000 and served as an assistant women's coach for several terms in B.C. (with the UBC women from September 2006 until June 2007 and with the SFU men from September 2004 until May 2005) along with a stint as interim head coach with the Thunderbirds men's basketball program, replacing Bruce Enns from September 1997 until May 1998.
Clint Hamilton, Vikes director of athletics and recreation, said Chambers is one of the best coaches in Canada with connections to many of the top young women's basketball prospects in the nation.
“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Rich Chambers to our Vikes Coaching staff," Hamilton said. "Rich is a highly regarded basketball person, and his combination of experience and success at the international, national and provincial levels is significant; I have no doubt that he will make a tremendous impact on our women’s basketball program.”
Dani Sinclair - a former CIS star player at UVic, where she won a title in 2002-03 - and McMaster, will stay on as the Vikes women's basketball team's assistant coach.
This summer, Chambers will travel to Chile and Brazil and the cities of Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas from July 21-31 with the junior national team, featuring the top players born in 1992 and after. Chambers has won many coaching awards including the Tom Tagami Award (2008), B.C. High School Coach of the Year (2003, 1985) and Gary Scott Award for coaching excellence (1998).
Chambers, who has been teaching in B.C. since 1973, also served as B.C.'s Technical Reference for Basketball B.C./Canada Basketball and currently is the Head Coach of the Centre of Performance for Canada Basketball. He is a graduate of SFU with a BA in education, majoring in history and geography.
"Coming back to coach in the CIS is a welcomed opportunity to compete against some of the best coaches and athletes throughout the nation," Chambers said. "Having the chance to share in the lives of some incredibly special young woman and helping them to maximize their abilities both on and off the court is a challenge I am looking forward to. I am committed to making basketball about camaraderie, having fun, learning discipline and valuing community by giving back to the University and city of Victoria."
UVic's women's basketball program has produced eight Olympians, five CIS player of the year winners, 27 All-Canadians and four CIS coach of the year award winners.
History of Vikes Coaches
2011-Present Rich Chambers
2001-2011 Brian Cheng
1978-2000 Kathy Shields
1971-1978 Mike Gallo
1968-1970 Howard Tooby
