Adam Forde
{{short description|Australian professional basketball coach (born 1982)}}
{{about|the Australian basketball coach|the British-born archaeologist|Adam Ford}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Adam Forde
| image = Adam Forde Wildcats 2017.png
| caption = Forde with the Perth Wildcats in 2017
| team = Cairns Taipans
| position = Head coach
| league = NBL
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1982|1|11}}
| birth_place =
| nationality = Australian
| highschool =
| career_start = 2003
| career_end = 2003
| coach_start = 2010
| years1 = 2003
| team1 = Norths Bears
| cyears1 = 2010
| cteam1 = Rockingham Flames
| cyears2 = 2011
| cteam2 = East Perth Eagles (assistant)
| cyears3 = 2011–2012
| cteam3 = West Coast Waves (assistant)
| cyears4 = 2012–2015
| cteam4 = East Perth Eagles
| cyears5 = 2013–2019
| cteam5 = Perth Wildcats (assistant)
| cyears6 = 2019
| cteam6 = East Perth Eagles
| cyears7 = 2019–2020
| cteam7 = Sydney Kings (assistant)
| cyears8 = 2020–2021
| cteam8 = Sydney Kings
| cyears9 = 2021
| cteam9 = Hawke's Bay Hawks
| cyears10 = 2021–present
| cteam10 = Cairns Taipans
| highlights =
As head coach:
As assistant coach:
- 4× NBL champion (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019)
}}
Adam Forde (born 11 January 1982) is an Australian professional basketball coach who currently serves as head coach of the Cairns Taipans of the National Basketball League (NBL). He is also head coach of the Australia men's national 3x3 team. Between 2013 and 2019, Forde was an assistant coach with the Perth Wildcats of the NBL and won four NBL championships. After a season as an assistant coach with the Sydney Kings in 2019–20, he served as their head coach during the 2020–21 season. He was appointed head coach of the Cairns Taipans in 2021, and in 2023 he was named the NBL Coach of the Year.
Forde has also coached in the State Basketball League (SBL), most notably guiding the East Perth Eagles men's team to their maiden championship in 2014. He also spent a season as a West Coast Waves assistant in the WNBL and briefly coached the Hawke's Bay Hawks of the New Zealand NBL in 2021.
Early life
Originally from Perth, Western Australia, Forde attended college at Jamestown Community College in New York between 2001 and 2003.{{cite web|url=https://men.nznbl.basketball/hawks-sign-coach-adam-forde-for-2021/|title=HAWKS SIGN COACH ADAM FORDE FOR 2021|work=nznbl.basketball|date=28 July 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116185931/https://men.nznbl.basketball/hawks-sign-coach-adam-forde-for-2021/|archive-date=16 January 2021|access-date=29 June 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/basketball-new-hawks-coach-brings-winning-record-to-the-bay/NOYBMMZEM4PYIBYIT26SZGSIXQ/|title=Basketball: New Hawks coach brings winning record to the Bay|work=nzherald.co.nz|date=27 July 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629093709/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/basketball-new-hawks-coach-brings-winning-record-to-the-bay/NOYBMMZEM4PYIBYIT26SZGSIXQ/|archive-date=29 June 2021}} In 2003, he played semi-professionally in the Waratah League for the Norths Bears.{{cite web|url=https://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=189770408&client=1-826-84500-86393-10337608|title=Player statistics for Adam Forde|work=SportsTG.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629094109/https://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=189770408&client=1-826-84500-86393-10337608|archive-date=29 June 2021}}
Coaching career
=NBL=
Forde arrived at the Perth Wildcats in 2011 as an unpaid video tech but was continually promoted during his eight-year tenure.{{cite web|last=Garlepp|first=Josh|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/nbl/former-perth-wildcats-assistant-coach-adam-forde-named-sydney-kings-head-coach-ng-b881739242z|title=Former Perth Wildcats assistant coach Adam Forde named Sydney Kings head coach|work=PerthNow.com.au|date=4 December 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210630025645/https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/nbl/former-perth-wildcats-assistant-coach-adam-forde-named-sydney-kings-head-coach-ng-b881739242z|archive-date=30 June 2021|access-date=30 June 2021}} After a stint as a development coach, Forde was appointed the Wildcats' technical assistant on 1 August 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcats.com.au/article/id/14wpk1q4e0ozt1vu6zu7gmepjt|title=Adam Forde named technical assistant coach|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=1 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819030242/http://www.wildcats.com.au/article/id/14wpk1q4e0ozt1vu6zu7gmepjt|archive-date=19 August 2013|access-date=30 June 2021}}{{cite web|last=Hope|first=Shayne|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/forde-shifts-into-new-role-at-wildcats-ng-ya-271442|title=Forde shifts into new role at Wildcats|work=TheWest.com.au|date=1 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210630030431/https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/forde-shifts-into-new-role-at-wildcats-ng-ya-271442|archive-date=30 June 2021|access-date=30 June 2021}}{{cite web|last=Peden|first=Lauren|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/community-news/eastern-reporter/claws-out-for-cats-c-836379|title=Basketball: East Perth Eagles coach Adam Forde eyes finals|work=PerthNow.com.au|publisher=Eastern Reporter|date=30 July 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210630031215/https://www.perthnow.com.au/community-news/eastern-reporter/claws-out-for-cats-c-836379|archive-date=30 June 2021|access-date=30 June 2021}} He became a full-time assistant in 2015. Under head coach Trevor Gleeson, Forde won four NBL championships in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
In May 2019, Forde was appointed assistant coach of the Sydney Kings.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/TheNBL/photos/a.627034830681743/2383805998337942/?type=3&theater|title=The Sydney Kings & new head coach Will Weaver have added former Wildcats assistant, Adam Forde to their #NBL20 coaching staff.|work=facebook.com/TheNBL|date=17 May 2019|access-date=30 June 2021}} He helped head coach Will Weaver guide the Kings in 2019–20 to the minor premiership and their first NBL Grand Final appearance since 2008.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/sydney-appoint-adam-forde-as-head-coach|title=Sydney Appoint Adam Forde as Head Coach|work=NBL.com.au|date=4 December 2020|access-date=30 June 2021}} Sydney were defeated 2–1 in a COVID-impacted grand final series against Perth.
On 4 December 2020, following Weaver's departure,{{cite web|last=Rugari|first=Vince|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/sydney-kings-coach-gets-green-light-to-chase-nba-gig-with-thunder-20201106-p56c7x.html|title=Sydney Kings coach gets green light to chase NBA gig with Thunder|work=SMH.com.au|date=6 November 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106211039/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/sydney-kings-coach-gets-green-light-to-chase-nba-gig-with-thunder-20201106-p56c7x.html|archive-date=6 November 2020|access-date=30 June 2021|quote=While Weaver is away, the Kings will be guided through their pre-season preparations by assistant coaches Adam Forde and James Duncan.}} Forde was appointed head coach of the Kings for the 2020–21 NBL season. In his first season as an NBL head coach, he guided the Kings to a fifth-place finish and a 19–17 record, just missing out on a finals berth.{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneykings.com/news/kings-close-out-regular-season-with-a-bang|title=Kings close out regular season with a bang|work=SydneyKings.com|date=6 June 2021|access-date=30 June 2021|quote=9,267 fans roared themselves hoarse as the Kings withstood a late Brisbane run to finish with three straight wins to close the season and a 19-17 record in what was Head Coach Adam Forde's final game with the organisation.}} He parted ways with the Kings following the season.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/kings-and-adam-forde-agree-to-part-ways-at-seasons-end|title=Kings and Adam Forde Agree to Part Ways at Season's End|work=NBL.com.au|date=15 May 2021|access-date=30 June 2021}}
On 29 June 2021, Forde was appointed head coach of the Cairns Taipans on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.taipans.com/news/taipans-announce-head-coach-adam-forde|title=Taipans announce Head Coach Adam Forde|work=Taipans.com|date=29 June 2021|access-date=30 June 2021}} After finishing ninth in 2021–22 with just nine wins, he guided the Taipans to 18 wins and a finals spot in 2022–23, as he was named the NBL Coach of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/xavier-cooks-wins-mvp-honours|title=Xavier Cooks Wins MVP Honours|work=NBL.com.au|date=7 February 2023|access-date=7 February 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.taipans.com/news/taipans-takeover-nbl-awards|title=Taipans takeover NBL Awards|work=taipans.com|date=7 February 2023|access-date=7 February 2023}}
On 3 March 2023, Forde re-signed with the Taipans on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/taipans-coach-back-for-two-more|title=Taipans Coach Back For Two More|work=NBL.com.au|date=3 March 2023|access-date=3 March 2023}} In the 2024–25 NBL season, the Taipans went on an 11-game losing streak,{{cite news |title=Forde addresses Taipans future |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/forde-addresses-taipans-future |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=NBL Official Website |date=10 December 2024}} finishing in last place with an 8–21 record, their worst in Forde's four seasons at the helm.{{cite news |last1=McInerney |first1=Matthew |title=Taipans, Adam Forde, make key decision on NBL coaching future |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl/taipans-adam-forde-make-key-decision-on-nbl-coaching-future/news-story/0b6e337076a953dc3baa0d89a463c886?amp |access-date=14 February 2025 |work=heraldsun.com.au |date=14 February 2025}}
After initially parting ways with the Taipans following the 2024–25 season,{{cite news |title=Forde departs Taipans |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/forde-departs-taipans |access-date=14 February 2025 |work=NBL Official Website |date=14 February 2025}} Forde re-signed as head coach on 13 June 2025.{{cite news |title=Head Coach Adam Forde signs up for next chapter |url=https://www.taipans.com/news/head-coach-adam-forde-signs-up-for-next-chapter |access-date=13 June 2025 |work=taipans.com |date=13 June 2025}}
=SBL=
In 2010, Forde served as head coach of the Rockingham Flames men's team in the State Basketball League (SBL).{{cite web|url=https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-5920-0-0-0&sID=85311&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=13690970|title=East Perth to start "new era"|work=WABL|date=25 October 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629095936/https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-5920-0-0-0&sID=85311&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=13690970|archive-date=29 June 2021|quote=Forde was the Head Coach of the Rockingham Flames SBL team in 2010...}} In 2011, he joined the East Perth Eagles and served as an assistant coach for both the men's and women's teams.{{cite web|url=https://websites.sportstg.com/club_info.cgi?c=1-5011-83386-0-0&sID=223495|title=2011|work=East Perth Eagles|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629100257/https://websites.sportstg.com/club_info.cgi?c=1-5011-83386-0-0&sID=223495|archive-date=29 June 2021}}
For the 2012 season, Forde was appointed head coach of the East Perth Eagles men's team.{{cite web|url=https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-5011-0-444185-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=17261503|title=Forde looking for long-term success at helm of Eagles|work=SBL|date=21 October 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629100711/https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-5011-0-444185-0&sID=78732&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=17261503|archive-date=29 June 2021}} He helped guide the Eagles to the SBL Grand Final, where they were defeated 105–72 by the Cockburn Cougars.{{cite web|last=Ferguson|first=Frizz|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/14732336/cougars-claim-sbl-championship/|title=Cougars claim SBL championship|work=Yahoo.com|publisher=The West Australian|date=2 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407011009/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/14732336/cougars-claim-sbl-championship/|archive-date=7 April 2016|access-date=29 June 2021}} Following a semi-final defeat in 2013, the Eagles returned to the SBL Grand Final in 2014.{{cite web|last=Hope|first=Shayne|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/heartbreak-the-spur-for-eagles-ng-ya-376732|title=Heartbreak the spur for Eagles|work=TheWest.com.au|date=30 August 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315001957/https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/heartbreak-the-spur-for-eagles-ng-ya-376732|archive-date=15 March 2017|access-date=29 June 2021}} Forde helped guide the Eagles to their maiden championship with a 99–83 win over the Geraldton Buccaneers.{{cite web|last=Pike|first=Chris|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-5011-0-444185-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=31268815|title=East Perth Eagles win first men's SBL championship|work=SBL|date=30 August 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820172623/http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-5011-0-444185-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=31268815|archive-date=20 August 2018|access-date=29 June 2021}} He stepped down as coach of the Eagles midway through the 2015 season.{{cite web|url=https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-5011-0-444185-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=32572238|title=Forde signs on for 2015|work=SBL|date=9 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629102818/https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-5011-0-444185-0&sID=78732&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=32572238|archive-date=29 June 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-5011-0-444185-0&sID=78732&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=34426372|title=Coach Forde steps down|work=SBL|date=29 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629103130/https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-5011-0-444185-0&sID=78732&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=34426372|archive-date=29 June 2021}}
Forde returned to coach the Eagles in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://sbl.asn.au/2019/04/06/forde-back-at-eagles-with-new-coaching-philosophy/|title=FORDE BACK AT EAGLES WITH NEW COACHING PHILOSOPHY|work=SBL.asn.au|date=6 April 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629104558/https://sbl.asn.au/2019/04/06/forde-back-at-eagles-with-new-coaching-philosophy/|archive-date=29 June 2021}}{{cite web|last=Lim|first=Kristie|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/community-news/eastern-reporter/basketball-east-perth-eagles-coach-adam-forde-eyes-finals-c-879433|title=Basketball: East Perth Eagles coach Adam Forde eyes finals|work=PerthNow.com.au|publisher=Eastern Reporter|date=7 April 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210629104812/https://www.perthnow.com.au/community-news/eastern-reporter/basketball-east-perth-eagles-coach-adam-forde-eyes-finals-c-879433|archive-date=29 June 2021|access-date=30 June 2021}}
=WNBL=
For the 2011–12 WNBL season, Forde served as an assistant coach with the West Coast Waves.{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcats.com.au/coaches|title=Coaches|work=Wildcats.com.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819015125/http://www.wildcats.com.au/coaches|archive-date=19 August 2013|access-date=30 June 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://websites.sportstg.com/get_file.cgi?id=1711547|title=East Perth Eagles Development Camp|work=East Perth Eagles|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630083801/https://websites.sportstg.com/get_file.cgi?id=1711547|archive-date=30 June 2021}}
=New Zealand NBL=
In July 2020, Forde was appointed head coach of the Hawke's Bay Hawks for the 2021 New Zealand NBL season. He split the role in 2021 with Jacob Chance, a fellow assistant with Forde during his time at the Perth Wildcats.{{cite web|last=Wakeman|first=Sharni|url=https://totaloilnz.co.nz/taylor-hawks-coach-the-best-of-everything/|title=TAYLOR HAWKS COACH – THE BEST OF EVERYTHING|work=totaloilnz.co.nz|date=18 February 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223181114/https://totaloilnz.co.nz/taylor-hawks-coach-the-best-of-everything/|archive-date=23 February 2021|access-date=30 June 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/hawkes-bay-hawks-go-for-chance-to-solve-coaching-issues/DUSG2WELQR72GHHJQTJCZHS7GY/|title=Hawke's Bay Hawks go for Chance to solve coaching issues|work=nzherald.co.nz|date=12 February 2021|access-date=30 June 2021|url-access=subscription}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/159143784136569/photos/a.165832303467717/4538915022826068/|title=Bay Hawks on Facebook|work=facebook.com/NZBayHawks|date=20 June 2021|access-date=23 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=477095123311360&set=a.477097713311101|title=Bay Hawks on Facebook|work=facebook.com/NZBayHawks|date=10 July 2021|access-date=23 July 2021}}
=World University Games=
In 2019, Forde served as the lead assistant coach under Rob Beveridge with the Australian Emerging Boomers, helping the team win bronze at the World University Games in Naples, Italy.{{cite web|url=https://australia.basketball/blog/2019/06/17/emerging-opals-and-boomers-name-teams-for-30th-summer-universiade/|title=EMERGING OPALS AND BOOMERS NAME TEAMS FOR 30TH SUMMER UNIVERSIADE|work=australia.basketball|date=17 June 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618160703/https://australia.basketball/blog/2019/06/17/emerging-opals-and-boomers-name-teams-for-30th-summer-universiade/|archive-date=18 June 2020|access-date=30 June 2021}}
=National 3x3 team=
On 10 March 2025, Forde was appointed interim head coach of the Australia men's national 3x3 team.{{cite news |title=3x3 Coaches Announced |url=https://www.australia.basketball/news/4229050/3x3-coaches-announced |access-date=10 March 2025 |work=www.australia.basketball |date=3 September 2025 |language=en}} He helped the team win gold at the 3x3 Asia Cup and bronze at the inaugural 3x3 Champions Cup. He continued as head coach of the Australia 3x3 team for the 2025 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Mongolia.{{cite news |title=Gangurrus named for FIBA 3x3 World Cup |url=https://www.australia.basketball/news/4287566/gangurrus-named-for-fiba-3x3-world-cup |access-date=16 June 2025 |work=www.australia.basketball |date=16 June 2025 |language=en}}
Personal life
Forde and his partner, Kylie, have a son.{{cite web|last=Logue|first=Matt|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/basketball/the-fire-came-within-500-metres-of-our-home-kings-coach-adam-forde/news-story/22a281262ac6e18aec86a5388a65b6fd|title='The fire came within 500 metres of our home' – Kings coach Adam Forde|work=News.com.au|date=5 February 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205055739/https://www.news.com.au/sport/basketball/the-fire-came-within-500-metres-of-our-home-kings-coach-adam-forde/news-story/22a281262ac6e18aec86a5388a65b6fd|archive-date=5 February 2021|access-date=30 June 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://basketball.australiabasket.com/coach/Adam-Forde/Sydney_Kings/31802 Australiabasket.com profile]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150713213043/http://www.wildcats.com.au/coaches Perth Wildcats 2015 coaching profile]
{{Cairns Taipans current roster}}
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{{Perth Wildcats 2013–14 NBL champions}}
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{{Perth Wildcats 2016–17 NBL champions}}
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{{NBL Coaches of the Year}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Forde, Adam}}
Category:Australian men's basketball coaches
Category:Australian men's basketball players
Category:Basketball players from Perth, Western Australia
Category:Cairns Taipans coaches
Category:Jamestown Community College alumni
Category:National Basketball League (Australia) coaches