NBL27 Meet the Coaches | Wildcats Assistant Aaron Young

The Red Army will see a familiar face on the Wildcats bench this season, with Aaron Young returning for his fourth campaign in Perth after another season leading the Wellington Saints in New Zealand.

Balancing the two roles has allowed Aaron Young to bring the lessons of leading his own team back to Perth and his work alongside John Rillie.

His coaching journey began straight after high school, working within school programs before earning an internship with the New Zealand Breakers.

Five years with the Breakers and seven years leading his former school’s program gave him a foundation in developing young athletes, including the challenges they faced beyond basketball.

“My experience in youth and high school basketball gave me a strong understanding of player development, both on and off the court,” Young said.

“Working with young athletes and helping them navigate those challenges prepared me for the transition into the professional game.”

He has now completed six seasons as a head coach in the New Zealand NBL, four in Auckland and two in Wellington. His recent record includes five consecutive grand final appearances, a championship and an overtime defeat in his latest campaign.

Those experiences have reinforced how difficult winning can be, even for teams that consistently put themselves in contention.

“It teaches you how small the margins are. It’s difficult to win at any level,” he said.

“It allows me to be a head coach and then take that experience into my role here with the Wildcats. It’s a great balance.”

This past campaign also gave him the opportunity to coach Elijah Pepper, strengthening their relationship before another season together in Perth.

Within the Wildcats program, Young’s responsibilities have grown as his relationship with Rillie has developed. He has taken on more of a voice at practice, leading segments and contributing to the team’s offensive preparation.

“JR has given me more responsibility each year and trusts me to recognise when to step in and lead, particularly on the offensive side,” Young said.

“I see my role as the offensive coordinator, and JR and I are closely aligned on what we want to achieve at that end of the floor.”

Alongside scouting three opposition teams, Young has been given the freedom to explore ideas and build confidence in his own judgement.

When Rillie has been away on national team duties, he has welcomed the opportunity to step in and lead, preparing to ensure the group continues moving forward.

“I don’t take those opportunities lightly. I want to step in and lead, and I recognise the responsibility that comes with that,” he said.

“Even if it’s only for a short period, I’m fully invested. I put time and focus into preparing so that we continue moving forward as a group.”

Reflecting on those periods with Rillie provides another chance to learn, discussing what worked and where he can improve. Young has ambitions to become a full-time head coach, but remains clear about the responsibility in front of him.

“Right now, my focus is on fulfilling my role and doing everything I can to help this team as an assistant,” he said.

“That means understanding where I can make a difference each day and putting my energy into those areas.”

Derrick Alston Sr.’s arrival has brought another experienced voice into those conversations. Young has been impressed by how naturally he has found his place within the staff and built relationships with the players.

“What I appreciate about DA is that he’s comfortable being himself. He understands where he fits and where he can have a positive impact,” Young said.

“You can already see the trust he’s building with the players through those individual conversations.”

That contribution has been evident when a direct message is needed, whether with an individual or the wider group.

“When difficult conversations arise, he’s comfortable and confident having them, whether that’s with one player or setting the tone for the group,” Young said.

“He’s brought a really valuable balance to our staff.”

Young also sees continued growth across the younger coaches, including Ben Peterson, as they take greater responsibility and bring forward their own thinking.

For him, the confidence to present an idea comes from the preparation behind it. Time spent watching and understanding a situation helps a coach explain what they want to achieve.

“When you’ve prepared thoroughly and spent time understanding what you’re seeing, you can be clear about what you want to achieve,” he said.

“If you believe in an idea and have done the work, you can deliver it with confidence.”

That attention to preparation carries into his assessment of the playing group. Young has been encouraged by the competitiveness of pre-season, with players eager to improve and earn opportunities while understanding how their ambitions fit within the team.

“You want players competing for positions and roles, but everything they do has to help the team,” he said.

“That’s the balance we’re working towards every day. We have players who approach it the right way, and that makes a big difference.”

As the season begins, he is particularly interested in how the Wildcats respond when circumstances become difficult. Those moments give the coaches and players a chance to show how they can work through a challenge together.

“I’m excited to see how we respond to adversity and work through the challenges that come during a season. That will be a big part of our success,” Young said.

“Our job as coaches is to help the team keep progressing, and working through those difficult moments is part of that process.”

At RAC Arena, Young wants the team to deliver more consistently for the Red Army. He believes last season’s home performances fell short of the standard the group wanted, with the early run of games in Perth offering an opportunity to build momentum.

“We talk regularly about rewarding the time and hard-earned money people put into supporting us. We want to deliver for them this season,” he said.

“With a significant number of home games early in the schedule, we have a great opportunity to build momentum and perform in front of our fans. That’s something we’re passionate about.”

Away from the court, time with his family and young son helps Young stay grounded. He values the everyday experiences that come with being part of the club and the wider community.

“I love spending time with my family. Being present with my young son keeps me grounded,” he said.

“We’re fortunate to be in this position, and we enjoy being part of the community and this organisation. We want to make the most of that every day.”