The 57-year-old Australian took up the challenge of guiding the Britain’s women in May 2009 after replacing Mark Clark and boasts one of the most impressive records of any coach in the sport. 

Maher led the Australia’s women’s side to bronze at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics before taking the same team to silver at their home Games in Sydney in 2000. 

He then became head coach of the New Zealand women’s side and impressively took them to eighth at the Athens 2004 Olympics, their best-ever performance at the Games. 

Following Athens, the Australian moved on to coach of the Chinese women’s team and took them to fourth place at the Beijing 2008 Olympics before taking over the reigns at Britain where he will prepare for his fifth Olympics.

Maher revealed that he is not expecting his side to win a medal at London 2012 but said that during his time in charge, he wants to earn the side some respect so that they are taken seriously by the biggest teams in the sport.

He told insidethegames: "For us to target a medal at London 2012 is completely ridiculous and just not a realistic expectation.

"At the Beijing 2008 Olympics where the USA won gold, Australia won silver and Russia took bronze, there were only really three teams in it and I expect it to be a similar scenario in London in 2012.

"To say that Great Britain’s women, who didn’t even qualify for the Beijing Olympics, can go on to break into the top three sides in the world in just two years time is unfair on the team.

"That is not my goal and it is not what we are aiming for.

"What we are aiming for is to earn some respect and to go out and challenge the big sides and compete against them for the whole match.

"We can’t win a medal at 2012 but I want to leave a legacy of respectability for this team so when we do get to the Games, people will say, ‘Where have this team come from.'

"We have great facilities, there is a great infrastructure here in Britain and the girls are well organised, hungry and motivated to do well.

"We don’t have big players playing in big leagues which is obviously a disadvantage but if we lose out only because of a lack of experience at the top level, we are doing very well.

"We have a good group here though and by London 2012, we want to make it difficult for other teams to play against us."

Maher's quest to earn his side respect begins next month as his side take on Slovak Republic, Germany and Ukraine in their EuroBasket qualifiers.

Britain will be the underdogs against their European foes but Mather states they must put in solid performances to start making the top teams take them seriously.

He said: "Earning respect will start in Europe and we must become a power in Europe starting with the EuroBasket qualifying campaign.

"When we become a power in Europe, we can start looking at competing with the likes of the USA and Australia but it must start in Europe for this side and it will because Britain has a strong competitive ethos.

"When I went to New Zealand, I didn’t know anything about the New Zealand team but I knew Kiwis always compete hard because it is in their system and culture.

"I expected it to be the same here and it is and you can always achieve something if you can compete.

"It was difficult in China as you had to teach them to compete but it is a natural part of the culture of Great Britain like it is in Australia and New Zealand so that will make it easier."

Maher added that he is enjoying life in Britain with his wife Robyn and very interested in the nation’s history.

He said: "It is very easy for an Australian to fit in here.

"It wasn’t easy to adapt in China because their culture is so different from mine but in Britain, things feel the same as in Australia.

"I’ve really enjoyed learning about the history here and visiting places like Edinburgh Castle but obviously that is only a nice hobby and my main focus is on the court and on 2012."

For tickets to any of the Britain men’s and women’s EuroBasket qualifying games, call 0844 581 0738 or click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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