READING Rockets have confirmed the appointment of highly-respected Alan Keane as part of a newly-established coaching structure within the club.

Keane, who has been part of the Rockets staff since 2016, will move up to take on the role of head coach across the club’s senior men’s squad and Rockets Academy, leading a strengthened team.

The 39-year-old Irishman has recently been part of England’s Commonwealth Games efforts, as assistant head coach, while also having held the same role with the Rockets' NBL Division One side for the past two seasons.

Having taken over from former boss Manuel Pena Garces, Keane commented: “This new role within the Rockets family is the ideal next step for my coaching aspirations.

"Reading Rockets is a club which has allowed me the privilege to work as a full-time basketball coach between the John Madejski Academy (Rockets Academy) and the men’s team.

"I am grateful for that and ready for this exciting new challenge.

"Having assisted with this team for the past two years, we can be more demanding and have higher expectations with regards to what we expect from the players individually and collectively. I can’t wait to get started.”

Rockets chairman Gary Johnson added: “Alan has proven himself to be a highly valued and respected member of the Rockets family for the past two years, as well as on a national level with his recent Commonwealth Games involvement.

"I am thrilled and honoured he has accepted this new position, which we believe will take the club to even greater heights on every level.

"Bridging the Rockets Academy, which continues to thrive and identify fresh talent from within the community, with the senior men’s squad will give us strength in depth across our impressive field of talent.

"One of the pivotal objectives for us is to recognise and nurture young basketball talent in the region, and to put in place an infrastructure to allow young players to develop their talent. These are exciting times for the Rockets.”