The Border Mail last night learned the Bandits have offered former Mildura coach James Madigan the position of head coach of the men’s team while the women’s job will go to New Zealand assistant coach Kennedy Kereama.

Bandits spokesman Mark de Koeyer refused to confirm or deny any offers had been made to either Madigan or Kereama but multiple sources confirmed the offers.

Madigan guided the Mavericks to the 2005 SEABL grand final and has an excellent coaching pedigree, with his father Jim, a former Opals and WNBL coach.

Madigan yesterday told The Border Mail he had met the board of the Border Basketball Club on Monday night and was offered the coaching position.

The 44-year-old said he was looking forward to the challenge of hauling the Border club out of the SEABL basement.

“I’m very excited about this opportunity,” Madigan said.

“I’ve coached and played in the SEABL and loved coming to Albury, it’s a nice spot and I’m really looking forward to the season.

“Basically, yes, I’ve accepted the job, I just need to sort out a few things in Mildura first, hopefully everything will be sorted out in the next few days.

“I don’t go on win-loss record as the only measure of success.

“I know they struggled last year, but you can only work with the horses you have in the stable.

“I think it’s going to be an exciting time, I like to see youth coming through but there needs to be a mix of experienced players as well.

Madigan said he had already started considering possible recruits and was hoping to lure former Mildura imports Jermaine Williams and Chaz Briggs to the Border.

“There’s going to be many challenges,” Madigan said.

“With a new coach there’s going to be some new players as well.

“It is going to be difficult, there’s no quick-fix.

“We may have a very good first season or we may make slower progress but this is a two- to three-year project.”

Meanwhile, Kereama will more than likely be the sixth coach for the Lady Bandits in four seasons.

Kereama, 24, was former Bandits coach Leigh Gooding’s assistant at the Christchurch Sirens last year before the WNBL franchise was forced to fold on the eve of this season.

Kereama has also served as an assistant coach for the New Zealand women’s team at the Beijing Olympics this year.