Shac Shorer Returns Home to Lead Spiders NBL1 Women’s Program
By James Mullan
The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Spiders Basketball Association are pleased to announce the appointment of Shac Shorer as the Head Coach of our NBL1 women’s program for both 2026 and 2027 seasons, marking a significant homecoming for the decorated coach and former player.
He has spent the last few seasons with Norths Bears as Head Coach of their Youth League women’s side and as the lead NBL1 Assistant Coach NBL1. At his time with Norths he led their Youth women’s squad to the 2024 Championship and earned the Senior Coach of the Year Award for the Association. He also boasts a perfect 10-0 record in the 10 NBL1 games he head-coached over two seasons.
Shorer’s return to his junior club is a move he views as a crucial step in his development and a deeply meaningful one. “I sat down with my mentors and we agreed this was the right step for me in my development as a coach along the professional pathway,” Shorer stated. “This is my junior club and a place where I’ve built lifelong relationships, so it feels meaningful to come back.”
His decision to return was also influenced by new General Manager Alex Fabian “I also believe in the direction Alex is taking the club. He’s got a strong vision, he approaches things the right way, and with the positive change happening, I feel I can help make an impact,” he added, highlighting the exciting young core of the team as another draw.
Shorer has stayed connected to the community through his involvement in the Barker College Basketball girls’ programs. He has been coaching their firsts since 2022, where he led the Senior squad to its inaugural qualification for the Championship Division in the Australian School Championships in 2023, and a Bronze Medal in 2024. Spiders’ NBL1 players Keira Hudson, Lucy Mead and Jessie May-Hall, have all played under Coach Shac. Plus coaching alongside Spiders’ Jess Sancataldo.
Shorer’s personal connection to Hornsby runs deep. “I’ve got a personal connection to Hornsby – I grew up here, and coming back has given me that feeling of belonging again,” he shared. The club’s unique culture and community spirit also resonated with him. “The culture is something really special too; the club’s identity, values and community spirit have always stood out to me. Being back now gives me the chance to invest in the same community that supported me.”
His vision for the program focuses on grass roots talent development, “My focus early on is strengthening the connection between the junior and senior pathways, particularly within the girls program,” Shorer explained. “I want to continue building and enriching the community, while also giving players and coaches a real reason to stay at the Spiders and take pride in the club. A big goal for me is to bring back Spiders juniors and see them progress right through the pathway into NBL1.”
From 2022-2023, Shorer was a Development Coach for the Sydney Kings, contributing to their 2023 NBL Championship victory. His experience also extends to the Future Flames as an Assistant Coach since 2024, and he has been a Basketball NSW High Performance Coach since 2023, serving as U18 Metro Girls Assistant Coach in 2024, where the team secured a Bronze Medal. Additionally, he was the Assistant Coach for the University of Sydney UBL women’s program from 2023-2024, during which the team won the 2024 UBL Championship.
Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Basketball Association General Manager Alex Fabian says “We are thrilled with Shac’s appointment – it is a homecoming that reflects our values and ambitions as an Association. He brings elite experience, a deep connection to our community, and a clear vision for developing talent across all levels. We’re excited to support his leadership and continue strengthening the pathway from grassroots to NBL1 for our players and coaches.”
Players and the wider club members can expect to see Shac at playing venues over the coming weeks as trials and preparations for the 2026 season are underway.
Our NBL1 Women’s trials will be Thursdays 16th October & 23rd October from 7-9pm at Abbotsleigh. Registrations will open Monday 22nd September.