GRB/CAN – Shields on new mission with Great Britain women

LONDON (EuroBasket Women Division A) - It's not often that the appointment of a national team assistant coach makes headlines but that has happened in Great Britain where Canadian Ken Shields has joined the women's side.

Mark Clark's team will play in the EuroBasket Division A Relegation Round in January and Shields, a prominent coach who led Canada at the men's 1994 FIBA World Championship in Toronto, has been brought in to lend his expertise.

"It is a great honor for me to have been asked to assist the British national women's team in their upcoming campaign," said Shields, who has been involved with other national teams and club sides in his long career.

"I look forward to working with coach Clark, the staff, the athletes and those associated with British Basketball to do Great Britain proud."

British Basketball are pulling out all stops to avoid the drop as they look to stay in the top division, which would give them a chance to qualify for EuroBasket 2011.

FIBA want to be convinced the British team will be competitive before allowing them to take up a spot normally reserved for host nations at the 2012 Olympics.

“I am delighted that Ken has agreed to become part of the GB Program," Clark said.

"His appointment makes us better, his expertise and experience will have a huge impact on our program and our efforts to retain our A Division status.”

Chris Spice, the performance director for British Basketball, said: "We are very pleased that Mark Clark has chosen a coach the caliber of Ken Shields to work with him for this all important European campaign in January.

"Ken has a world class basketball coaching pedigree and he will bring a wealth of experience from his successful work in national programs across the globe. He will be a great addition to our off-court team."

FIBA