The heaading should read, How can we improve and maintain the quality of coaches in the lower divisions?

Great call. Not sure how to answer your question, but good work for raising the issue. From my experiences, divisions from 3 and down are almost forgotten entities.

if you're that concerned, do something about it! Feel free to coach a team in the lower grades and do a great job.

Nice one Bozo, that is the very mentality in this sport that creates the barriers and provides no positive imput....
This concern is valid. Basketball SA and all the individual clubs concerned should not ignore this issue. Discussion should occur at a higher level.
(It is not ideal for parents to be coaching their own kids)

We should stop letting parents turn up to games and talking to the coaches.

That way, the coaches we have woudln't quit bewcasue of idiot parents. And we would be able to recruit more coaches because it wouldn't be a thankless task.

ptm,

$20 per player wouldn't cover half of what you want.

Solution is to make div 3 and below social/domestic basketball and leaving div 1 and 2 as elite level.

That way parents would not have an unrealistic expectation on the level of coaching that is needed to coach div 3 and below.

Great to see someone seriously thinking about what it is that drives kids away from basketball. If you are the gangly, poorly coordinated kid who is growing so fast he never knows where he is in space; you're going to end up in the lower divs where the chances of you getting anything like the coaching you need to blossom are slim. I'm certain a lot of adults have forgotten how awkward many kids are until their growth spurts level out. It's not much fun when from one week to the next you are not sure how long your legs or arms are and if you can connect everything or not! This of course leads to a kid who looks really clumsy and poorly skilled, when all he needs is to be 16 years old and slowing down on the growth curve (or for girls read 14 years old!).
I'm not knocking the parent coaches either, there are some great people out there but they are often fighting politics in the clubs and the dreaded pushy parent! As non-pushy parents we can support those who are trying their best to coach a lower div team by ensuring our kids turn up to training, take part in extra training opportunities when they arise, practice skills at every opportunity and take our turn doing the stuff that keeps a team ticking over, like scoring and time keeping. It doesn't hurt to say thanks occasionally too, as a volunteer they aren't going to get a lot more!

Getting coaches full stop is the problem. All coaches across the Divisions are fair game for parental pressures and as in life some give way to it and others hold firm.
I'd encourage disinchanted mums and dads or those new to basketball and a little out of the loop to get their Level 1 coaching certificate which is presented in a non threatening environment and aimed at the beginner (although many experienced coaches are also doing the course).
A next step from there might be to buddy up with another parent or friend and team coach. lots of opportunities to do this at the Div 3,4,5 level. As you develop your coaching skills go up a grade/Div.
A well kept secret in basketall is that we all know less than we'd like to admit so get involved for your kids sake and don't be put off by the jargon and guru's.
Ask your JDO for help, advice and assistance and invite him or her to your trainings. Buy good quality DVD's for your specific areas: (male/female-defense/offense). Remember that coaches often use boards because they look like coaches and few players fully understand the noughts and crosses thrown at them in T O's. Encourage , praise and support and your 90% the way to being a good coach. You don't need to have played Basketball to coach it, (tho it helps) so jump in.
Put a note on your notice board to find out if there are any other interested parents and be proactive in solving the shortage of coaches.

your first comment presumes money will solve some of the problems - it may.
time and the right type of people involved are what is needed - RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT SPOTS.

you are the right sort of person to be on a comittee / club management reading this - head this way.

some clubs cant get the right people in div 1 spots let alone div 3 - most of teh bigger clubs have quite good coaches at div 3/4 level.

my kids play div 3/4 and they have a div 1/2 standard coach - only because they are only available saturday mornings to coach.

so we have the reverse with our team - div 1 standard coach looking after div 3/4s

yes teh mum / dad coaches are a gamble - some might just deliver as well!

paying coaches may be the answer - what about reducing fees - ie the div 1 kids get a sasi or state or level 2/3 coach and pay teh same fees as div 4s with a mum / dad coach and last pick of the training times / courts.

last false belief is it is an even playing field - not !

Ignoring sub div 3 teams should be done at the club's peril. I have seen a number of div 3 players at under 16 or under 18 level go on to play div 1 and be one of the main contributors because they were trained hard and taught the right things in div 3.

where to start.

Good coaches focus on the kids. Not club politics, hence the club gets rid of them. (look at the loss of coaches down south, picked up by other clubs. they have had the last laugh)
Due to shortages people coach to "fill in" this will always be a problem because they don't want to coach, they have to.
Now lets not start with parents. All good coachs know the best team is a team of orphans, because parents know more than umpires, coaches, God.
And watch out if the coach makes their child do something that dont "think" is right. All hell breaks lose.
This should be headed "the quality of parents in lower divisions.
Wonder why basketball is struggling, dont look at the court, listen and look at the grandstand. FACT