TORONTO, Ont. (September 28, 2021) – Canada Basketball and Senior Women’s National Team head coach Lisa Thomaidis, whose contract expires at the end of September, announced Tuesday that both parties have mutually agreed to part ways.

Thomaidis was originally named head coach of the Senior Women’s National Team in 2013 and led the team to a current ranking of fourth, the highest in program history, in the FIBA World Rankings.  Originally from Dundas, Ont., Thomaidis coached Canada to two consecutive Olympic appearances at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, as well as a fifth-place finish at the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women, the country’s second highest finish ever at the tournament.  Under her guidance, the team also earned gold medals at the 2015 Pan American Games, 2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship and FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2017.  Over the course of her nine years as head coach, Thomaidis coached the Senior Women’s National Team to an 83-44 (.645) record.  Prior to being named head coach, Thomaidis was an assistant coach for the previous 12 years after joining Allison McNeill’s staff in 2001.  

Statement from Denise Dignard, General Manager / Executive Vice-President, Women's High Performance

“After careful consideration and discussion with Lisa, we both recognize that this is a necessary step that our program must make in our continued pursuit of a place on the podium at the highest of international competitions, as well as for Lisa, both personally and professionally.  There is no doubt that Lisa has been instrumental in the long-term growth and success of this team, including leading us to a program-best fourth in the FIBA World Rankings.  On behalf of our Senior Women’s National Team and Women’s High Performance program, I’d like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Lisa for her commitment over the last 21 years and wish her nothing but the best moving forward.”

Statement from Lisa Thomaidis

“Leading our Canadian Senior Women’s National Team over the last nine years has been the highest honour and an absolute privilege.  Our accomplishments have been historic and ones that took working with a true team to achieve. Ultimately, I want to thank all the athletes, coaches, and staff who I had the privilege of working with over the years.  It will be the relationships formed and connections made along this journey that I will always cherish.  Through everyone’s passion and dedication, we elevated our program to where it is today.  As I step aside, I do so with immense pride and satisfaction knowing that I gave everything I had to the program.”