The Bobcats will have to do without their energetic bench boss for one Canada West women’s basketball season.

Head coach James Bambury is officially on a one-year personal leave and Brandon University has posted the job as a one-year term position to run the team through the 2023-24 campaign.

“Family support, that’s what we’re back here for,” Bambury told the Sun. “My immediate family, (wife) Kate, my kids … my marriage, everything is going fine that way, it’s just unfortunate life stuff that gets in the way.

“It’s never a decision you want to make. As a basketball coach, it’s far less of a job and far more of a passion and almost your life force, being around the team. it’s what keeps me young. Unfortunately, we were put in a difficult position where it’s just my family had to be back in Ontario.”

Bambury joined the Bobcats in 2021, taking over for Novell Thomas. After a winless 2021-22, BU picked up three non-conference wins against Lakehead University in the 2022 pre-season and captured its first regular-season victory on the final weekend against the University of Northern British Columbia in February.

The former Queen’s University and Royal Military College women’s coach brought an infectious personality and energy from the start, encouraging nearly the entire team to stay in Brandon to train together last summer.

The Bobcats have played with a fire and tenacity that in no way mirrors their poor record and Bambury is hopeful a solid 2023 rookie class — which includes Winnipeg’s Jayna Maytwayashing and Halifax twins Emma and Mya Cameron — can continue that progress towards being competitive in Canada West.

“Truly appreciate the fans in Brandon, everything in Brandon,” Bambury said. “With where the (Bobcat Basketball) Academy is going, what Juan (Mosquera) and them are doing with WYBA (Westman Youth Basketball Association), all these things, I think we’re really building something special and I hope to continue to be a part of it.

“It’s just it’ll have to be from a distance for a little bit.”

The deadline to apply for the term job is May 26. Qualifications include a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, with a master’s preferred and Level 3 National Coaching Certification Program certification in basketball.

Those interested can apply to Scott Lamont, BU’s vice-president of administration and finance at lamont@brandonu.ca, and get more information from athletic director Russ Paddock at paddockr@brandonu.ca.

“We feel for James having to be in this position and hope that he’s able to return,” Paddock said.

“Nothing’s ideal about it in terms of the timing but hopefully we can confirm somebody as soon as possible after the closing date.”

Paddock has been in his role for a few coach hirings but only one interim, when women’s volleyball coach Lee Carter took a sabbatical in 2017 and current Assiniboine Community College coach Kevin Neufeld stepped in. That one, however, was planned.

“I think there’s always going to be applicants but given the timing, a little bit later in the spring than most people would like to change their plans for next year,” Paddock said. “We’re not sure how it’ll work out.”

Bambury hopes to stay connected and assist the interim coach but noted his involvement will depend on the individual and their philosophy.

While it’s not up to him, he says he’d like assistant coach Jaime Taggart to get the nod.

“I think Jaime is ready for it and for me, Jaime makes the most amount of sense,” Bambury said. “It’s difficult for me to say that technically publicly because I don’t know who the other applicants would be. I know the person I trust would be Jaime and I know she would continue the program in the direction that I would see the program going.”

CARTER STILL OFF

Carter is still on administrative leave and the BU women’s volleyball team is in the hands of assistants Ashley Hosfeld and Kailan Robinson, who have been recruiting to replace a handful of players who quit during or after the team’s winless 2022-23 season.

An external investigation is underway to review Carter’s conduct following player complaints.

“That has been the plan,” Paddock said. “I don’t really have anything to do with it.”

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