Lynne Roberts, head coach for the WNBA's L.A. Sparks, recently relocated to Manhattan Beach and is thrilled with all that her new beach community has to offer. 

"To land here is just a blessing," Roberts told MB News in a recent interview, in which she described many of the local activities that her family has enjoyed since moving to town. "We’re just super grateful."

Roberts, who has a long and decorated career both as a basketball player and as a coach, was named to the head coach position with the Sparks last year, after having previously served as head coach at the University of Utah, the University of the Pacific, and Chico State. 

"I took this job because of the opportunities. L.A. is the sports center of the world, in my opinion," she said. "For me to have the chance to lead one of the first original WNBA teams - there are only three - was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."  

Roberts noted that the L.A. Sparks are currently building a $150 million practice facility - the largest investment in the history of women's sports for a single team - in El Segundo. "I want the Sparks to be the destination place for the best players in the world," she said. And given that the facility is just up the road from her new home, she added, "I'll be able to bike there next year."

Roberts, who has 10-year-old twin boys, has been enjoying Manhattan Beach's perfect year-round weather and family-friendly events and activities. 

"We loved our time in Salt Lake City – I never thought I would live in Southern California. I didn’t have moving to Manhattan Beach on my bingo card," she said. However, in Utah, she said, there were several months out of the year when it was harder to do outdoor activities. And here in Manhattan Beach, the family can take year-round walks on the Strand and even has plans to enjoy their Thanksgiving dinner outside. 

They've also enjoyed every restaurant they've tried so far, from holes-in-the-wall to The Strand House. "There are so many good places to eat - and it could be just a little walk-in diner - and the food is so good. We have never walked out of anywhere here and said, "Yeah, that was just OK."

Plus, they have loved their initial experiences at Manhattan Beach's iconic seasonal events. The family of four ran the Manhattan Beach 10K last month, and watched the ceremonial lighting of the Manhattan Beach Pier last week. The boys were also thrilled to trick-or-treat in the Sand Section on Halloween, she added. "My only 'complaint' is that my kids got too much candy. We’re still rationing that out to them."

Aside from riding their bikes everywhere, the family has also discovered new beach sports. Her sons did surf camp and beach volleyball camp this summer and her one son is now "obsessed" with surfing. "It’s fun to introduce them to sports that was not even in their realm of consciousness a year ago. They’re embracing the South Bay in all its glory." 

Since the WNBA season runs through the summer, Roberts' boys often travel with her to games. But during the school year, it's all about life in Manhattan Beach. Her idea of the perfect day? "We'll get the boys up and out for school - everyone understands that fire drill - then take a walk on the Strand or go to the gym. I started beach tennis, which is the coolest sport. I’m not great at it but that’s been fun. Then I'll come back and clean up and get some work done, whether that’s Zooms or film or scouting talent. Then we'll get the boys home, make dinner, and then rinse and repeat."

Roberts enjoys serving as a role model to young athletes and encourages them the same way she encourages her boys. 

"When I was a young athlete, there were not many examples of women athletes; they weren't on TV. I had posters up of Michael Jordan. It wasn’t even in my consciousness that you could be a professional women's player. What's cool now is the awareness and consciousness of women's athletics. The WNBA has arrived in a way that it hasn’t in the past. Little girls and boys wearing the gear - it's the coolest thing; just the consciousness level of women in that space, and what they’re able to do."

Roberts hopes to catch some local games soon as well. "I'm just a sports junkie - I watch anything and everything for fun," she said. "I will go to local high school games - I know there’s some really good basketball in the area."

Her advice to young people, especially young athletes, is simple: "Just dream. If you want something bad enough, pursue it. Just keep believing and working at it. That commitment, that drive is going to propel you forward in anything."