Ashley Cookson to Step Down as Essex Rebels Women’s Head Coach
The Essex Rebels announce that Women’s Head Coach and Head of Basketball Performance, Ashley Cookson, has decided to step down from his role with the club for personal reasons.
Coach Cookson has been integral to the continued growth of the club but has made the difficult decision to return to Canada as his wife pursues a new career opportunity.
Cookson joined the Rebels in May 2023 and departs after three seasons, during which he played a key role in the continued development and success of the women’s programme, helping guide the team through the most successful period in its history. His impact was immediate – In his first season in charge, Cookson led the Rebels to the club’s first major final, securing a place in the 2023/24 Betty Codona Trophy Final in Birmingham. Under his leadership, the Rebels qualified for the playoffs in each of his three seasons, establishing the team as one of the league’s most competitive sides.
The 2025/26 campaign proved to be a landmark season for the club, with the women’s team recording its highest-ever league finish in third place and earning the programme’s first home playoff quarter-final. The Rebels also enjoyed a perfect 9-0 home record during the regular season before making further history by reaching the playoff semi-finals for the first time.
Alongside his success with the Rebels in the Super League Basketball, Cookson also enjoyed success within the University of Essex performance programme, leading the women’s team to the University’s second-ever BIG BUCS Wednesday Championship title during the 2024/25 season.
Reflecting on his time with the club, Cookson said:
I’d like to thank everyone who has been part of my journey at the Essex Rebels over the past three seasons. From the players and coaching staff to the fans, and everyone behind the scenes.
The players have always been at the heart of everything we’ve done, and I’m incredibly grateful for the relationships we’ve built together. Watching them develop both on and off the court, while creating memories as a team, has been the most rewarding part of my time here.
I’d also like to thank the fans for their incredible support over the last three seasons. Your backing has meant so much to me and the team, and you’ve played a huge part in making this club what it is today.
On a personal level, being able to raise our children here and have them grow up around the Rebels has been one of the biggest blessings for my family. Essex has become a special place for us, and we’ll always be grateful for the friendships and memories we’ve made here.
This wasn’t an easy decision, but I believe it’s the right one for me and my family at this point in time. I leave incredibly proud of everything we’ve achieved together, and I hope the players, staff and fans have enjoyed the journey as much as I have.
I wish the club nothing but continued success, and I’ll always be cheering the team on. Up the Rebs!
Essex Rebels Manager Diana Voynova paid tribute to Cookson’s contribution to the club:
On behalf of everyone at the Essex Rebels, I would like to thank Ashley for everything he has done for the club over the last three seasons.
He’s helped take our women’s programme to another level, and the progress the team has made during his time here speaks for itself. Reaching new milestones and enjoying the most successful season in the club’s history is something everyone involved should be incredibly proud of, and Ashley has played a huge part in that.
We’re incredibly grateful for all of his hard work and dedication. While we’re sad to see Ashley move on, we completely respect his decision and wish him and his family nothing but the very best for the future.
Everyone at the Essex Rebels would like to thank Ashley Cookson for his outstanding contribution over the past three seasons and wish him and his family every success in the future.
