COACHING STAFF | Kia Nurse Elite

RICHARD NURSE- Program Director/ U17 EYBL Coach

Richard Nurse has been coaching for over 25 years at the Club Level with Hamilton Transway, Canada Drive/Blue Star Basketball. Through hard work and perseverance Richard was granted the first Girls NIKE EYBL Team in 2017, and the only Nike sponsored girls program in Canada. For the last 15 years he has run and managed Kia Nurse Elite (formerly Canada Drive/Blue Star Basketball) one of the top premier girls AAU development and recruiting organizations in Ontario. He has won 14 Ontario Basketball Gold medals and has been instrumental in the development of Professonal, Olympian, CIS, NCAA and Provincial basketball players. Kia Nurse Elite currently has programs provided for ages U12-U17, and brings more than 13 teams each spring/summer to the US to play in their AAU circuit.

ANDREW BAILLIE-Technical Director

Andrew Baillie is in his 17th year of coaching basketball in the Hamilton area and been involved with Kia Nurse Elite for 15+ years. He is in his 6th year as an assistant with the McMaster Women’s program, and was a part of the 2019 USPORT National Championship team. Prior to that he spent 2 years on the Marauders Men’s staff. At the High School level he spent 2 years as the Head Coach of the Lincoln Prep Huskies Womens team which won back to back OSBA provincial championships in 2017 & 2018. He also coached both boys and girls teams at Ancaster High School for 12 years and is currently the Director of the RA Riddell Basketball Academy in the HWDSB where he is a Phys Ed teacher.

Hali’s post-secondary career as a student-athlete spanned two countries. She was recruited by Ashland University (NCAA Division II) out of high school. She finished her career at Sheridan College and is one of the most recognized women’s basketball players in OCAA history. Hali put together an impressive resume as a student-athlete: CCAA National Silver medalist, 3x OCAA Champion, 2x CCAA All-Canadian, 3x OCAA 1st team all-star, 2x OCAA Championship MVP, 2x OCAA Women's Basketball Player of the Year, CCAA National Championship 1st team all-star, and OCAA league scoring champion. Hali is currently the head women's basketball coach for Lincoln Prep Huskies, she previously coached Lead Assistant University of Toronto (OUA), Head Coach Mohawk College (OCAA), Excel Hoops Prep (OSBA), Brampton Warriors (OBA), Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator University of Toronto Mississauga and Assistant Coach Team Ontario.

HALI BURNS- U17 EYBL Coach

SHANE BASCOE-U16 EYBL Coach

Shane Bascoe had a very decorated career as a student-athlete being named a 3x All-Canadian in the CCAA. Shane also has a versed coaching background. His resume ranges from coaching the Guelph Gryphons for five years, head women's basketball coach for Sheridan College for 7 years, from 2005 to 2012. He was the CCAA Coach of the Year in 2007 and in 2007 and 2009 the OCAA Coach of the Year. Currently the Head Coach at King's Christian (OSBA) and Head of Development for the Milton Stags. He was also the head coach for the boys AAU program Nike Bounce from 2015-2018.

Shae Dheensaw is currently the Assistant Coach for the TMU Rams Dheensaw is the second full-time assistant coach in women's basketball program history. Dheensaw played a crucial role in the 2021-22 season, assisting in leading the Rams to an undefeated season to win an OUA and U SPORTS national title. The team went 14-0 through conference play, then concluded the OUA season with a 22-point fourth quarter comeback to claim the Critelli Cup for the program's second provincial title.

Dheensaw was a member of the coaching staff for Team World at the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit.
Before joining the Rams, Dheensaw spent three seasons at the University of Victoria where she started as a lead assistant coach before serving as the interim head coach of the Vikes for the 2020-21 season.
As a player, Dheensaw represented Canada at the U16 and U17 level at FIBA World Championship events before a successful collegiate career at Washington State. Dheensaw played for the Cougars from 2011-15, accumulating 535 points, 307 rebounds, and 98 blocks in 112 games in the PAC-12 conference.

SHAE DHEENSAW- U15 EYBL Coach

MARLO DAVIS- Skills Director

Marlo Davis on being selected as an assistant coach for the Canadian women’s basketball team. Marlo Davis has been a teacher and basketball coach at Crestwood for the past 4 years. In this short time he has led the Senior girls team to 4 CISAA Division I basketball championships. Last year Crestwood’s senior team joined the provincial circuit and competed in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association. Marlo led the team to an undefeated season and our first provincial title. This summer Marlo will coach the U18 National girls program, traveling to Europe to compete in the FIBA World Cup. He will be working with some of the best coaches and women’s basketball players in the country.

JODY BROWN-U16 Regional Coach

Jody Brown has been coaching basketball for over 15 years both boys and girls programs. He is in his 6th year as an assistant with the University of Wilfrid Laurier Men's program. Jody also is the Provincial Coach with the Team Ontario U15 girls program. He also runs the CP and OSDP. He also coaches both boys and girls with the KWYBA(Vipers) as well as St Marys High School(Kitchener).

KELVIN CHONG- U17 Regional Coach

Kelvin has been serving the GTA basketball community for over 18 years working with pre-schools kids all the way up to college athletes. His passion is to help educate players and parents about the recruiting process. Helping athletes understand and finding the best fit is more important than the name of the school. Kelvin also runs the Toronto Matrix Basketball program which has sent many athletes on free post secondary education.

ANDREW BAILLIE-Technical Director

MARLO DAVIS- Skills Director

Hali’s post-secondary career as a student-athlete spanned two countries. She was recruited by Ashland University (NCAA Division II) out of high school. She finished her career at Sheridan College and is one of the most recognized women’s basketball players in OCAA history. Hali put together an impressive resume as a student-athlete: CCAA National Silver medalist, 3x OCAA Champion, 2x CCAA All-Canadian, 2x OCAA Women's Basketball Player of the Year and OCAA league scoring champion. Hali is currently the head coach for Lincoln Prep Huskies, she previously coached Lead Assistant University of Toronto (OUA), Head Coach Mohawk College (OCAA), Excel Hoops Prep (OSBA), Assistant Coach at UTM and Coach with Team Ontario.

HALI BURNS- U17 EYBL Coach

SHANE BASCOE-U16 EYBL Coach

MICHELLE ABELLA-U16 EYBL Coach

A former Academic All Canadian basketball player from Sheridan College , Michelle has been coaching the Ontario Elite Development team from 2013 to present, including the U15/U14 Girls Provincial team as assistant coach and the 2017 Gold Medalist at the Canadian National Championship, silver medalist in 2016. Michelle has also coached the Blessed Sacrament Yellow Jackets JUEL and JUEL teams. Michelle is currently an assistant coach at Carleton University.

Shae Dheensaw is an Assistant Coach for TMU Bold. Shae was an assistant coach at the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit. Previously Shae was lead assistant at UVIC before serving as the interim head coach during the 2020-21 season. As a player, Shae played for U16 and U17 Team Canada at FIBA World Championship events before playing at Washington State. Dheensaw played for the Cougars from 2011-15.

SHAE DHEENSAW- U15 EYBL Coach

JODY BROWN-U17 EYCL Coach

KELVIN CHONG- U17 Regional Coach

CHAD MCPHERSON-U16 EYCL Coach

Chad McPherson is a seasoned basketball coach, boasting two decades of experience with esteemed programs like the KW-Vipers, Waterloo Wolverines, HWDSB, and WRDSB. Presently, he serves as an assistant coach at Lincoln Prep and leads as head coach for the Kia Nurse Elite program for the third consecutive year. Chad's coaching prowess extends beyond victories; he prioritizes player development and has been recognized with the 2023 Juel Prep Coach of the Year award. His coaching philosophy centers on instilling fundamentals, fostering teamwork, and nurturing mental toughness among his players, laying the groundwork for both individual growth and team success on the court.

TJ DOUGLAS-U16 EYCL Coach

TJ has been coaching for 5 years as lead assistant with Niagara Prep along with leading their player

recruitment. TJ was on of the top rookie coaches in Ontario during his first year coaching and was part of the Niagara Prep staff that finished second in the OSBA during the 2023 season. TJ is currently the head coach of Niagara Prep junior OSBA team and made a final four appearance in the 2023/2024 season.