Thank You Adam Doyle

The Eltham Wildcats Basketball Club is sad to announce that point guard Adam Doyle will remain at home in South Australia for the 2022 NBL1 season.

Since joining the Wildcats for the inaugural NBL1 season of 2019, Doyle brought a high standard of professionalism to the Eltham program, setting a new standard for junior and senior players across the club.

“I’ve loved my time at Eltham. Every year, I’ve looked forward to coming back to Melbourne and playing for Eltham because the people have become my family, away from my family. The coaches and the office team have been so good to me, the hundreds of local kids that I had the opportunity to work with and of course the guys I’ve played with, plus Trev (Lee), Steve (Smith) and Chris (Helliger) coaching through that time. Heather Douglas (Team Manager) has been there for me at every turn, whilst I am not sure I would have got through the double header weekends without Brett Cole (Chiro)! There is no doubt that Covid hurt our plans on the floor in the last two years and I am really disappointed we didn’t take the next steps that we all wanted.”

Doyle is far from retiring from the game though, with time in the NBL1 Central in his hometown of Adelaide on the cards. “I’ve always planned on returning to Adelaide to play. One more season at Eltham, especially the chance to work with new coach Craig Stratford was something that was drawing me back, but the time is right for my fiancé Sarah and I to setup home in Adelaide. I am comfortable in knowing though that I’ve done my best to be a leader to the local young people at Eltham, have prepared the Youth players for the next step to NBL1 and I am satisfied with my career in Victoria. I love Eltham and hope at some stage in the future I can return in a coaching capacity.”

The Adam Doyle impact on the Eltham Wildcats program has been profound. CEO Greg Jeffers explained; “Our entry to NBL1 in 2019 was initially about rewarding our players that had achieved in Big V, but we also had a young group coming underneath that needed direction. Bring in Adam Doyle. Adam even in 2021, was one of, if not the best point guard in the NBL1 competition. His basketball workouts and practice routines have provided an example, that others now try to replicate. We owe Adam a great deal, as he has provided our local players with the role model, the education and development every club wants from a senior player. He has been the model citizen for our young players to observe and emulate. Whilst I am disappointed, we won’t see Adam in 2022, we’re also highly supportive of his decision and wish Adam and Sarah all the very best. We thank Adam and Sarah for being a part of the Wildcats, wish them both well and look forward to hosting them at our new stadium sooner rather than later!”

It isn’t all sad news for the Eltham Wildcats though, with returning players, new signings and the launch of the new 2022 playing strip all on the horizon.