McKenzie Named to Commonwealth Games Coaching Staff

TORONTO, ON (February 14, 2018) - Canada Basketball announced today that Steve Baur will be the women`s basketball coach for upcoming Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Cape Breton University`s Fabian McKenzie was named as the Assistant Coach. 

Now in his fourth season as an Assistant Coach with the senior women's national team, Baur will make his head coaching debut for Canada on Friday, April 6 when they face England to open the tournament.

"I am excited for the opportunity provided to me by Canada Basketball," said Baur.  "We have put together a great staff and am looking forward to representing Canada at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games."

Before joining Canada Basketball, Baur spent six seasons as the Head Coach of Acadia University's men's program and helped guide them to four appearances at the CIS Men's Basketball Final 8 Championship.  During his time with the Axemen, Baur also led the team to an Atlantic University Sport (AUS) championship in 2012 and was named AUS Coach of the Year the following season. 

Prior to his head coaching role with Acadia, Baur served as an Assistant Coach with the team for the previous four seasons.  Baur began his university coaching career as an Assistant Coach with Brandon University, where he spent one season each with the men's and women's programs.

A native of Sackville, Nova Scotia, Baur also spent five seasons as a head coach, assistant coach and mentor with Basketball Nova Scotia. Baur is a graduate of advanced coaching diploma (Toronto) and is in training for Canada Basketball's training to win certification.

This is McKenzie`s tenth year with the National Team program. He has been the head coach of the Cape Breton University Women`s basketball program for the last 19 years. He has won 6 AUS titles, including last year`s championship in 2016-17. Also, during that span, the Glace Bay, NS native has made the playoffs 17 times and reached the AUS finals in 11 of the last 15 seasons.

WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM COMMONWEALTH GAMES STAFF