Simons says South Adelaide: Forestville stalwart signs with rivals

Image credit: Dan Cowley @imagesby_dan

After Forestville announced his departure late last week, club stalwart Andrew Simons will be beginning his next basketball chapter at South Adelaide, leading the women's program for both the 2027 and 2028 NBL1 Central seasons.

Simons brings to the Panthers a wealth of playing and coaching experience at state level.

The former Eagles men's head coach, who won nine titles over his coaching journey at Forestville, started playing basketball at the club in 1973, where he spent his entire junior career.

Simons represented South Australia numerous times and spent over a decade forging an NBL and SEABL career before returning to Forestville, where he started coaching the men's team in 2003.

Since that point, under Simons' tutelage, the Forestville men's team excelled and experienced great success, most infamously winning a three-peat through the years 2011 to 2013.

Simons will adopt a South Adelaide team that won 11 of their 18 matches in the 2026 NBL1 Central women's season.

Their success came off the back of even contributions from their squad, with six of their players averaging over 7 points per game, led by youngsters 2009-born Daisy Hocking, 2006-born Hannah Gardiner, and 2008-born Keira Gardiner – all of which will be great assets as Simons embarks on a new project.

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