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Outgoing Perth Wildcats coach Scott Morrison explains the family reasons for his leaving the club

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Craig O'DonoghueThe West Australian
Scott Morrison was emotional at his press conference.
Camera IconScott Morrison was emotional at his press conference. Credit: Unknown/Supplied

Emotional outgoing Perth Wildcats coach Scott Morrison has assured fans he was desperate to continue next season to make up for the club’s finals streak coming to an end but was left with no choice than to return to Canada for family reasons.

Morrison’s one season with the Wildcats will go down in history as the year the club’s famous 35-year play-off streak came to an end.

He re-committed to coaching next season, but the family became aware of challenges in recent weeks which couldn’t be resolved while living in Perth and he announced his resignation on Thursday.

“It’s best for us to go back and make sure we take care of business with the kids,” Morrison said.

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“The choice came down to a potential risk of regret as a parent and the potential risk for my career. We’re choosing the latter.

“I think it will be a lot tougher and a lot worse for me than the team. The team is going to recover and do great but I will always wonder what would have happened if we could have figured it out and got back there.”

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Scott Morrison with wife Susanne and children Max and Shaylen.
Camera IconScott Morrison with wife Susanne and children Max and Shaylen. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian

Morrison endured a horror introduction to the NBL. He had to wait for two months to get into Australia after his family was initially denied a visa and he then spent nine weeks living interstate after WA’s border closure was extended.

He only returned to Canada to visit family last week.

Morrison recalled his father walking away from a job with the Canadian team to focus on family and admitted he always promised himself that he would never do that. But Morrison said his values and priorities had changed after having two children.

“I am proud to say I have worked with some of the greatest players in the game today but that pride pales in comparison to the joy of watching my kids complete the simplest of tasks.

Scott Morrison coached the Perth Wildcats for one season.
Camera IconScott Morrison coached the Perth Wildcats for one season. Credit: Steve Bell/Getty Images

“During our time in Perth, it has become evident that our young family would be better served to re-locate back to North America.

“For reasons I would prefer not to publicly disclose, at this time my wife Susanne and I feel that our children’s best chance to thrive is closer to family in a more familiar environment.

“Some 36 years after my dad sacrificed a great basketball opportunity for the benefit of his family, I finally am beginning to understand and am making the extremely difficult decision to do the same.”

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