The Connection Behind Nunawading’s Hot Start

Image Credit: Lauri Walker @laurijeanphotos

Paul Flynn and Rachel Antoniadou’s long standing partnership continues to underpin the Nunawading Spectres Men, with the pair guiding the group to a perfect start to the NBL1 South 2026 season following back to back wins in Tasmania.

The Spectres opened their campaign with a 99–67 win over Hobart Chargers before defeating Northern Force 98–82, but beyond the early results, the foundation of the program remains deeply rooted in connection, none more significant than the relationship between Flynn and Antoniadou.

The pair first began working together in 2011 at Dandenong, where Flynn coached Antoniadou at Under 18s VJBL, recalling her as a “tenacious young defender” and “the hardest worker in the room,” a foundation that quickly built into something more.

“She became an extension of me as a coach on the floor and it’s just sort of blossomed from there,” Flynn said.

“I feel incredibly blessed that we have this relationship that’s been able to last such a significant amount of time… that sort of longevity in a player coach relationship is rare,” he said.

“Nothing’s ever guaranteed in coaching… but to have something like this for 15 years, I feel very fortunate.”

“She’s very much an extension of my family… I’ll go into battle with her any day of the week, and I know the feeling’s mutual.”

For Antoniadou, it all shifted in 2018 after stepping away from playing basketball, when Flynn picked up the phone and challenged that decision.

“I hear you’re not playing… we can’t have that… why don’t you come down to Nunawading and see how you like it,” she said.

“I went for one session and I haven’t left since.”

What started as a simple return quickly became something much more, with the connection extending well beyond basketball.

“Flynny is like family now,” she said. “the club and Flynny especially, they care about you more as a person first and player comes second and third.”

“I keep coming back because Nunawading feels like home… I love the people in it, I love the community, and I stay for the culture,” Antoniadou said.

“Basketball aside, the club cares about you more as a person first… if you need someone in your corner, they’re always there.”

That sense of belonging extends beyond the playing group, shaping the broader identity of Nunawading as a club built on relationships.

“My family is a big extension at Nunawading now… they just get pulled in,” Antoniadou said.

Flynn echoed that sentiment, highlighting the club’s deliberate focus on connection in a competitive league environment.

“It’s relationship based for us and they’ve got to be authentic and genuine… every player on our roster has a connection somewhere along the line,” he said. “That extends beyond the players… from staff to the people who sweep the floors, everyone is part of it.”

“Our motto is we have serious fun. We know when to be serious, but we enjoy doing it,” he said. “We can be really serious and then we can be absolutely not so serious… that’s what makes it enjoyable to keep coming back.”

That connection has also evolved alongside Flynn’s coaching style, with Antoniadou noting a shift in approach over time.

“It’s definitely gotten more creative… it’s about understanding what the defence is giving you and finding ways to get an edge,” she said.

“It’s fun because sometimes he’ll coach to beat an opposition player or coach… as I’ve gotten older, you start to see who he’s trying to work and get the edge against.”

With a strong Round 1 setting the tone, that long standing partnership remains central as Nunawading continues to integrate new faces while maintaining its identity.

Nunawading Spectres now turn their attention to Tuesday night, where they face Ringwood Hawks at Norwood Secondary College as part one of the GEBC Cup series. The Women’s game tips off at 6:00pm, followed by the Men at 8:00pm, with the double-header also featured as the Kayo Game of the Week.