Our People

Performance Programs Manager - Dave Smith Referee Co-ordinator - Steffi Sassning

Performance Programs Manager - Dave Smith

David Smith

David was our inaugural Head Coach for our U18 Representative Program in 2023 and QSL Youth in 2025, and now operates as our Performance Progrmas Manager, overseeing both representatinve and development programs.
With an exceptional background as both a player and coach, David brings vast experience and a deep passion for the sport to the Eastside Knights basketball family. Most importantly, David is in passionate alignment with the values that underpin the Knights.

As a player, David represented Victoria at the U18 and U20 National Championships, winning three national titles before attending the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in 1997. Following his time at the AIS, he had a successful career in the National Basketball League (NBL), playing 235 games for the Melbourne Tigers, North Melbourne Giants, and Victoria Titans and taking home rookie of the year in 1998

David has made a natural transition from player to coach, with now 20 plus years coaching at various levels; youth and representative, to elite-level athletes. His ability to identify and develop talent, implement effective strategies, and create a positive team culture has resulted in notable achievements and personal growth for his athletes.

Additionally, David has successfully mentored and developed individuals and teams in corporate settings, leveraging his leadership and communication skills.

Under David's leadership, we are confident that programs will flourish both on and off the court. His expertise and dedication will enhance player development and foster a culture of teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement.

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Referee Co-ordinator - Steffi Sassning

Steffi Sassning is our Referee Development Officer for our Referee Program.

Steffi is an incredibly experienced referee that we are thrilled to have leading and developing our program. We know that our officials, whether already experienced or just starting on their ref journey, will be led, nurtured and developed to be the best they can be under Steffi's leadership.

"𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦'𝘴 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦, 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥 100% 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘴" - Steffi Sassning

Steffi's Referee Highlights