The Salida High School Girls Basketball Team has welcomed a brand new coach this year, Christopher Bainbridge. Although this isn’t his first year coaching, it is his first time coaching the high school girl’s team. In the past, he coached boy’s basketball instead, and he is excited to switch it up by teaching girls instead. His inspiration for coaching is close to his heart.
“Actually my son [inspired him to coach]. I was coaching rec league about ten years ago and then I wound up moving up with him in middle school where I coached with Godina,” Bainbridge said.
After that, he was well introduced into the basketball program, later becoming the Salida high School boy’s assistant basketball coach. Then, the opportunity arose for Bainbridge to become the girl’s head basketball coach and he took the job. He was excited to get the girls program on its feet, and the girls are excited to see where he takes them with his coaching..
Bainbridge believes that motivation and inspiration are two of the most important morals in sports. As the new head coach, he plans to give the team that. More than anything else, he also wants his team to have fun, especially since high school is such a brief period of their lives.
“Number one is having fun! I’m having fun and they are having fun with their teammates. […] The players only get four years. Time flies. We just want them to have fun and I think, if we are keeping it fun in the gym, it motivates them,” he said.
Bainbridge is not only bringing good spirit to the team, he is bringing technique. With lots of past experience, he knows lots of drills, plays and conditioning work that will further benefit the team. He hopes his expertise with coaching boy’s basketball transfers to the girls’ team as well. Bainbridge also mentioned that he has a very skilled and experienced coaching staff to help him develop these skills. He is very optimistic about the team’s chances this year.
“With change there comes confusion, there comes disagreements, but overall it’s starting to take effect and I have high hopes for this team this year,” he said.
With that outlook, the school is excited to see how the girls team grows this year. Many parents, students and staff have expressed their support and enthusiasm for the upcoming season with Bainbridge as the new head coach. The Spartan girls are lucky to have such a hard working and devoted coach.
