Picture: SANDRA MORELLO
THE management of the Mount Gambier Pioneers Basketball Club says it believes it can deliver an elite women’s team if it receives the go-ahead today to play in a new Victorian-based league.
With its future on a knife-edge, the sporting organisation held a community forum in Mount Gambier on Monday as it rallies to win support from Basketball Australia.
Pioneers president Tom Kosch told the meeting a decision was expected to be handed down today by the “close of business”.
If the club received the go-ahead to play in a Victorian-based league, he said it would be required to form a women’s team.
“It would be likely we would play on the same night – a double header in the men’s and women’s,” Mr Kosch said.
But he revealed the club needed to raise $120,000 to remain competitive and launch a women’s team.
“The opportunity to attract South Australia’s best young women to Mount Gambier to live within our community and improve in their chosen sport and play in the second best competition available in Australia is exciting for our basketball club,” the club leader said.
He said the club had already started canvassing coaches and players for the potential women’s team.
Additional money is needed for a coach, putting a team on the floor, as well travel and accommodation for the two teams.
There is also a possibility the Pioneers will need to financially contribute to the travel of the Victorian teams coming into Mount Gambier.
Meanwhile, Mr Kosch said he hoped Basketball Australia would listen to the outcry emanating from the South East.
“They have definitely heard us, we have been carrying on quite a bit and I’m glad the message has got through,” he said.
“It will be a dire situation if we are not accepted, the future will be very glum for us.”
Mr Kosch urged the community to consider sponsorship and giving other support.
“We understand what we are asking is a lot of what is already a hugely generous business and member base,” Mr Kosch said.
He said the club would explore avenues to raise revenue, including additional sponsorship, increased membership, fundraising and enhancing the game night experience.
“We will raise what we can to field a successful and competitive women’s team,” Mr Kosch said.
“If we get approval, we will be on the clock to get organised and get a women’s team here by February if it is a late March/April start.
“While the cost of adding a women’s team is hugely important at this stage, we are unable to do this without the support of our volunteers – currently the Pioneers is run solely by a volunteer base.
“If you have any interest in being part of our great club, we want to hear from you. As a board, we greatly appreciate the support from the wider community.”
