Coach to coach: James meets a legend

James Weldon pictured with legendary coach Sylvia Hatchell at the Lake Hotel
James Weldon pictured with legendary coach Sylvia Hatchell at the Lake Hotel

ACCOMPLISHED Killarney basketball coach James Weldon met up with one of legends of USA women’s basketball during her visit to Killarney this week.

Sylvia Hatchell is the head coach of the team at University of North Carolina and she led her squad to play two matches against Ireland, in Dublin and Cork, in recent days.
Coach Hatchell, an American Basketball Hall of Fame recipient, has been named national coach of the year three times in the US and she coached the country’s women’s basketball team to a gold medal win in the 1988 Olympics.
James Weldon is a FIBA Europe Coaching Certificate (FECC) approved basketball coach and one of only 300 coaches in the world with the qualification. He is a former superleague player with St Pauls, Killarney and he coached the club’s team through an impressive stint in the top flight before going on to enjoy incredible success with the all-conquering UL Huskies.

The Killarney man coached UL to 10 national titles in four seasons and was honoured with the Irish Basketball coach of the year award on three different occasions. His talents have also been recognised with his appointment as head coach to a number of Irish teams.
The visiting North Carolina group enjoyed a three-night stay in the Lake Hotel, Killarney and availed of the opportunity to enjoy the local scenery and tourist attractions.

Coach Hatchell posted several photos on social media of her stay in Killarney, including a boat trip on the lakes and a pony ride in the Gap of Dunloe. She was lavish in her praise of the local scenery and described her stay in Killarney as “the trip of a lifetime”.

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