Caledonia Gladiators announces new Womens Head Coach

Followinglast week’supdatethat ChantelleHandyhasdecided to stepaway from coaching,Donnie MacDonald will now stepinto coachtheprofessionalwomen’steam withimmediateeffect,with abusy recruitmentperiod underway.

Donnie, who hasbeen with the clubsince2022,has beenheavilyinvolved in thewomen’steam,particularlywithinhis roleas AssistantCoachduringthe 2024-25season whenCaledonia Gladiators madehistoryfor Scottish Basketball as thefirst women’s team to secure silverware.

Following his role asAssistantCoach, Donniehasled thedevelopmentofCaledonia Blues,CaledoniaGladiators’development team,providing youngScottish players thepathway they needtodevelopto pro.

With over 20 years’experience across nationalteamcoaching, player development, high-performance and CommonwealthGamesbasketball, it only takes a glance at his CV or afiveminuteconversation to understand Donnie’sdeep-rootedcommitment to driving women’s basketball forward in Scotland.

We sat down to talk through the journey so far,what’sshaped his coaching philosophy, and what supporters can expect in this exciting new chapter.

Let’s start at the beginning – tell us about your journey into sport and basketball.

“I started my career after studying Sport Science, I originally worked as a fitness coach and even ran a gym back home in Skye. I later studied physiotherapy in Aberdeen and took my first job in Dundee, later moving into lecturing. I was then recruited by Edinburgh Napier University to set up their physiotherapy department – the first of its kind there.

“Alongside my professional career, I coached at teams including Tayside Musketeersandsome university sides,and thenin 2019 I took a sabbatical to coach full-timebefore joining Basketball Scotland in 2021 as National Academy Lead, overseeing national teams and player pathways.

“On a national level, I was women’s 3×3 Head Coach for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, have led GB Under-16 women’s teams in EuroBasket competitions, including gaining promotion from Division B to Division A in 2024, finishing 14th – the highest placing in programme history.”

Basketball has clearly been a huge part of your life. How did your love for the sport begin?

“I played basketball in high school. My PE teacher was really intoitand in the early 90s there was a huge basketball culture. It was easy to fall in love with the sport.

“I then captained my university team as well and basketball quickly became a huge part of my life.

“Later in life I joined a club in Dundee and ended up taking over as coach. Like many people, Ididn’tnecessarily plan on coaching – I just stepped into it when there was a gap and loved it.

“Interestingly, coaching women’s basketball happened almost by accident.”

What made you stay in the women’s game?

“I went between local leaguesanduniversitywomen’s teams, and once I got into women’s sportI found itreally suited me.

“There was less ego and players wereparticularlyreceptiveto learning and developing. My coaching style naturally seemed to fit better.

“I’vealso always had a big passion for women’ssport generally. My sporting herowhen I was youngwas myoldersisterAngie, who wasa very goodfootballer. Thatcertainlyshaped me and pushed me towardswomen’s sport.”

What have you learned from working with young female athletes?

“In general, they arereally receptiveto learning new things and appreciative of coaching.A lot of players love the team aspect of basketball, butparticularly with young Scottishplayers,self-confidence can sometimes be a challenge. Part of coaching is helping players realise whatthey’recapable of.”

You’veplayed a huge role in developing Scottish basketball talent through the Blues programme. How difficult was it to step away?

“It was certainlydifficult–The Blues programme has been somethingI’vebeen hugely passionate about and one of therealhighlights of my career.

“Players like AlixMcintosh, KerryMcGheeand EmmaKerrhave been with us from the beginning, but this season we also saw players likeCaoimheStupartand SophieHeronstepping into professionalpractice and competitionenvironments.

“Seeingplayersyou’veknown froma young agesharing the floor with professionals–and seeing their growth as people – has been incredibly rewarding.

“Whilst Iwon’tbe coaching the Blues,I’llstill have oversightand will be ensuringthere’sa strong connectionbetween the Pros and Blues. We need young players coming through and stepping in when opportunities arise.

“My missionhas always been todevelop Scottish basketball and opendoors for young playersand that won’t be changing.”

Was it a difficult decision to take on the head coach role?

“Not at all.I’vebeen coaching for 20 years and opportunities like thisdon’tcome around often.For me, this is the biggest job in Britishclubbasketball.We’reincredibly lucky with the facilities andinfrastructurethat’salready in place, and we nowwant to take the next step and become the dominant team in British basketball–the stage is setfor us to do that.

“Weknow where we want to go, and wewant to win.The women have had an incredibly positive few years, but next season we want to take a step up andbring home those trophies, ambitions are high across the clubandwe’reready for the challenge.

“I’ve now worked within the club in some capacity for over4yearscovering a variety of roles including AssistantCoach andHigh-PerformanceLead, and so I’m confident and embedded in the culture and what we’re working towardshere.“

How important will Scottish talent remain moving forward?

“Very important.Developing Scottish basketball has been central to everythingI’vedone,andI’mstill committed to that.

“Whilst international talent will continue to play a huge part in a strong, balanced roster, young Scottish players will have the opportunity to earn their place too. The challenge is creating a team thatcanwinwhile also continuing tobringnewplayersup with us.

“We need to continue creating opportunities and making sure talented players have a pathway here.At the same time, we need a team capable of competing and winning at the highest level– that is my job, and my numberonepriority.”

What can fans expect from your style asHeadCoach?

“Itwon’tbe dramatically different.Defensively especially,we’renot going to rip up somethingthat’sbeen successful.I want to build on thegreat workdone by Miguel and Chantelle over the last 4 seasons.

“I like to think of myself as an adaptable coach, working aroundplayersand maximising their strengths. Butwe’llalso recruit players who fit the stylewe’vebuilt over the last few years.

“Our supporters have come to expect physical basketball, competitiveness and players who play with real drive and energy, and that won’t change.”

What does the summer look like for you?

“Busy! Recruitment is already underway behind the scenes and will continue throughout the summer.”

Finally – what excites you most about this opportunity?

“The challenge.We want to keep moving forward and take another step next season.

“We’rebuilding a team who will doeverything possible to compete at the highest level and win.That’swhat excites me.”

With Donnienow in place asHead Coach,a busy recruitment periodis underway for thewomen’s team.Follow us onsocialstokeep up todatewith all updates from CaledoniaGladiators during the off-season.