CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand. – In the wake of Judd Flavell’s Tall Blacks appointment, the Canterbury Rams are thrilled to announce that Quinn Clinton will be taking over the reins of Head Coach for the 2025 Sal’s NBL season and beyond.
“I can’t express enough how excited and grateful I am for this opportunity,” said Clinton. “This team has been a part of my life since I was a kid, and some of my earliest basketball memories are from attending Rams games and participating in their holiday camps.”
“Transitioning from being a player to being named Head Coach feels like a full-circle moment for me, and this opportunity truly means everything to me.”
Clinton made his playing debut with the Rams in 2015 at just 16 years old, and went on to play division 1 NCAA basketball at Saint Mary’s College in California. Following his collegiate career, he re-joined the Rams for their 2023 championship campaign. Soon after, Clinton retired from playing to pursue coaching and joined the Canterbury bench as an Assistant Coach for the 2024 season.
“I understand the significance this team holds for the ownership group, the players, and the fans,” explained Clinton. “It’s a special opportunity, and I am committed to working hard to ensure that everyone’s trust in me is well-placed.”
At the grassroots level, Clinton has been the Head Coach of the Christ’s College Senior Boys basketball programme for the past two seasons. Earlier this month, he led the team – featuring Rams development players Tama Isaac and Ihaka Cate – to a Secondary Schools National title.
“Our goal has been to develop our local coaches and it is exciting to now see Quinn & Liam ready to step into bigger roles,” said Rams General Manager Caleb Harrison. “With Quinn stepping into the Rams Head Coach role, having come through the Rams as a player and coming through the Mainland Eagles Academy before heading to the highest of NCAA D1 levels at St Mary’s College, he is in a position to make his mark as the Rams head coach.”
While Flavell will have prioritised responsibilities with the national team programme, he will remain to be involved with the Rams as the team’s High Performance Director, continuing to work alongside Clinton. Clinton will also be supported by returning Assistant Coach Liam Connelly, who will also see an expanded role in 2025 as the Head Assistant.
“I really appreciate what the Rams have done in valuing continuity through this process. They’ve shown real belief in Quinn and I, and provided us with opportunities that have allowed us both to progress in our coaching journeys,” said Liam Connelly. “As a team we’ve built a really strong format for success over the past few years and I believe that we can keep that going.”
“Quinn has one of the best basketball minds of anyone in this country and will do an excellent job in the Head Coach role. He and I work really well together and I look forward to assisting him and helping us with our goal of lifting a third straight championship banner in 2025.”
Clinton spoke to his experience so far with Flavell, saying, “Learning from Judd last year was an incredible experience. I gained invaluable insights by observing his day-to-day operations, his meticulous preparation for practices and games, and his approach to handling both wins and losses.”
“I’m truly looking forward to continuing to learn from him as he transitions into the high-performance director position. His mentorship is something I greatly value as I develop my own coaching style.”
“Caleb and I over the past couple years had discussed succession planning, and we prioritised the development of a New Zealand coach who could take over when the time was right,” said former Rams Head Coach Judd Flavell.
“Quinn is that coach, a bright, young leader with a great future ahead. His contributions, both as a player and assistant, have been vital to our recent championships and the culture we’ve built. He’s hardworking, dedicated, and I have full confidence that he will thrive as the Rams’ Head Coach.”
“By having Quinn, Liam & Judd continuing to work as a tight team the next two years we will be able to position the Rams for longer term sustained success,” added Harrison.
Free agency for the 2025 Sal’s NBL season is set to open later in the year. Keep up to date with all the latest Rams news by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on our socials @CanterburyRams on Instagram, Facebook, and X; as well as @CanterburyRamsNBL on TikTok.
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