Andrew Harms Continues His Frankston Legacy

After leading the Frankston Blues to the 2026 NBL1 South Men's Championship, Andrew Harms has committed to another three seasons with the club, continuing a connection that spans three generations of his family.

Andrew Harms has already achieved plenty in his time with the Frankston Blues, but the championship-winning coach has no plans to slow down after signing a new deal to remain with the club until the end of 2029.

Having taken charge of Frankston's senior men's program in 2017, Harms is one of just two current NBL1 head coaches to have remained with the same club since the competition's inaugural season in 2019.

He was named the inaugural NBL1 Men's Coach of the Year in 2019 and became the first men's coach in NBL1 South history to reach 100 wins, having since recorded a 65.6% career winning percentage.

The biggest of those victories came in August when the Blues defeated the Eltham Wildcats 78-75 to claim the 2026 NBL1 South Men's Championship, rewarding a program that had consistently challenged near the top of the competition.

But for Harms, who previously represented the Blues as a player, the club has always meant more than the results on the scoreboard.

“Frankston has been a huge part of my life. Some of my closest friendships, greatest memories and most rewarding experiences have come through this club,” Harms said.

“Having the opportunity to represent Frankston as both a player and coach is something I'm incredibly proud of.

“Basketball has given me the opportunity to travel the world and experience things I never imagined, and so much of that journey can be traced back to the opportunities and foundations Frankston Basketball provided me.

“For me, it's always been about more than basketball. It's the people, the relationships and that genuine sense of belonging that makes Frankston such a special place.”

That connection now stretches across three generations of the Harms family, with his father having coached at Frankston before receiving Life Membership of the Frankston & District Basketball Association in 2025.

His son Nash is also following in the family's footsteps, beginning his first representative season with the Under 12 Blues, with his grandfather now taking him to training.

“It's incredibly special. My dad has dedicated so much of his life to Frankston Basketball, so seeing him recognised with Life Membership was a really proud moment for our family,” Harms said.

“Now having him take my son Nash to his Under 12s training and seeing so many players he once coached now coaching the next generation is a real full-circle moment.

“Three generations sharing that connection to Frankston is pretty unique, and it's a great reminder of what makes community sport so special.

“I just hope Nash develops the same lifelong friendships, memories and opportunities that we've been fortunate enough to experience.

“Like all of us, there’ll come a day when the ball stops bouncing back for him, when that day comes, I hope it’s the lasting friendships, unforgettable experiences and lessons learnt along the way that stay with him long after he’s played his last game.”

Those relationships have also been a defining part of Harms' coaching career, particularly throughout the Blues' run to the 2026 championship.

The Blues had finished inside the top four in five of the previous seven seasons before finally breaking through for the title, with longtime assistant coach Adam Jackson and team manager Paul Groat alongside Harms throughout much of that journey.

“One of the things I'm most proud of is the people we've surrounded ourselves with and the culture we've built together,” Harms said.

“Jacko and I have walked this journey together from the beginning. His eye for talent, strong values and understanding of what high-performing teams should look like have been instrumental in shaping our program.

“We've challenged each other, shared the highs and lows and always remained aligned on what we wanted to build.

“Equally important has been Pauly, whose meticulous preparation as team manager and genuine love and care for our players have been the glue that's held so much of our program together.

“To finally share a championship with both of them, after everything we've been through together, was incredibly special.”

Harms also highlighted the contributions of Warren Brown and Duncan Berg, who have been involved with the program over several years, while Adam Walsh joined the coaching group for the championship-winning 2026 campaign.

“That same loyalty and commitment runs right through our coaching group,” Harms said.

“Wazza and Duncan have been integral to our journey over many years, bringing enormous knowledge, experience and a genuine investment in our players, while Walshy added another great basketball mind and fresh perspective to the group this season.

“Each of them has played an important role in shaping the environment and culture we're so proud of.”

Another significant part of the championship was sharing the achievement with Lucas Barker, having previously won a title alongside him as teammates before doing so again as coach and player.

“Winning with Lucas was another rewarding part of the championship,” Harms said.

“We've shared so much history, from winning a championship as teammates to now experiencing that same success as player and coach.

“I've always admired his competitiveness, loyalty and genuine love for Frankston. What made it even more special was seeing his family become part of the journey and share in that success.

“Those are the moments that make it all worthwhile.”

Harms has also had a front-row seat to the evolution of NBL1 South, having coached in every playing season since the competition launched in 2019.

With the league continuing to develop as a pathway to the professional game, he believes the standard of basketball has improved significantly during his tenure.

“The growth of NBL1 South since 2019 has been enormous,” Harms said.

“The professionalism, quality of coaching and depth of talent across the competition have all improved significantly.

“I think the greatest reflection of the league's strength is seeing just how many players have progressed through NBL1 and are now playing significant roles in the NBL.

“It's become a genuine pathway to the professional game, while still maintaining that strong connection to grassroots basketball and local communities.

“The competition continues to get stronger every year, and that's exciting for everyone involved.”

Despite finally securing the championship that had eluded the Blues in previous seasons, Harms says the result has done little to change the program's approach heading into 2027.

Instead, the focus remains on developing players, maintaining the standards established over recent seasons and creating opportunities for the next generation.

“Winning the championship was great, but it hasn't changed our motivation to keep improving,” Harms said.

“We're excited about continuing to build on the standards and culture we've established.

“A huge part of that is developing the next generation of Frankston players, combining the technical and tactical demands of the modern game with a strong focus on developing resilient, adaptable mindsets that prepare them for challenges both on and off the court.

“We want to continue providing genuine pathways from our junior programs through Youth League, college basketball, NBL1 and ultimately the NBL and beyond, while building something sustainable that continues to thrive well beyond any individual player or coach.”

With a new stadium on Bardia Avenue also presenting opportunities for the Frankston Blues, Harms is looking beyond his own coaching tenure and considering what the club could become in the years ahead.

He believes the association has an opportunity to use basketball to connect more people throughout the community, while continuing to develop an environment that supports players both on and off the court.

“It's an incredibly exciting time for Frankston,” Harms said.

“The new stadium presents enormous opportunities, but there's still a power of work to be done in our community through the avenue of basketball.

“We have a real opportunity to use the game to connect people, create a sense of belonging and positively influence the lives of people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, well beyond the basketball court.”

For Harms, the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the club is just as important as adding to its championship history.

“When we step away, I'd like to think our legacy will be about much more than wins and losses,” Harms said.

“We want to have helped build a values-driven, high-performing environment that provides young basketballers with the opportunities, resources and support to reach their potential, both on and off the court.

“Ultimately, if we've helped develop good people, created genuine pathways for the next generation and left the club in a stronger position than when we started, then I think we've done our job.

“Hopefully, someone else picks up the torch, builds on what we've established and continues to innovate and take the program to even greater heights.”

For now, Harms has another three seasons to build on the Blues' championship success, with the same club that shaped his playing career continuing to play a central role in his family's basketball story.