The impending appointment of Matt Flinn as the new head coach marks a change of direction for the region's only national sporting team, the Illawarra hawks.
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For Flinn personally, it marks the next step of a remarkable journey. From a Bull junior who represented this region and his state, to a long-time assistant coach and now a head coach, it's an incredible story whatever way you look at it.
Next season Flinn will get a chance alongside of the eight other head coaches of NBL clubs with the South-East Melbourne Pheonix to join the league next year. For the man known to all simply as "Flinny", taking over the reigns from a decorated coach such as Beveridge will be a challenge.
Beveridge's basketball smarts and leadership helped guide the club through a tumultuous period and enabled the Hawks to remain competitive even against the teams that dwarf the budget of the NBL's only remaining foundation club. His will be big shoes to fill. Many are predicting "Bevo" will be snatched by the Hawks arch rival, the Sydney Kings.
For Flinn though there is some good building blocks in place with Boomer Todd Blanchfield already on contract for next season. As is veteran Tim Coenraad and emerging young stars Emmett Naar and Daniel Grida. Local development player Angus Glover also remains on contract on his way back from another knee rebuild.
The Hawks leadership has chosen a local bloke as their new coach, opting against chasing more credentialed names to fill the void. Flinn has a strong bond with both Hawks general manager Mat Campbell and owner Simon Stratford. The Illawarra faithful will enjoy seeing a local product in the head coaching role but ultimately the true test will be in the results.
The weekend marked 40 years since the Illawarra Hawks were born into existence, playing their first ever NBL game at the Snakepit. That game ended with Gordie McLeod nailing some free throws to record the win over St Kilda. In a way there is some poetry around the fact a local product will be leading the Hawks into their 41st year.
