THE Mount Gambier Pioneers Basketball Club has been thrown into turmoil amid a shock decision by Basketball Victoria to lock it out of its revamped elite league.
Club officials late yesterday were left stunned by the news, which now leaves Mount Gambier’s 30-year-old iconic team outside of any viable elite league.
It is understood a Basketball Victoria panel could not be convinced the Pioneers could field a competitive women’s team, which was a requirement of the restructured competition.
Stunned club officials were yesterday scrambling to call players, club officials and board members when the news broke in the afternoon.
An emotive Pioneers head coach Richard Hill – who was yesterday struggling to come to terms with the decision – said he was completely devastated and feared the demise of the popular sporting organisation.
“It is a pretty shocking decision,” Mr Hill told The Border Watch just minutes after receiving the news.
“This will leave a massive hole in our community.”
Mr Hill said he believed basketball authorities did not understand the intrinsic value of the club to the Mount Gambier community.
Club president Tom Kosch – who has been leading the fight to save the Pioneers – said he was “deeply disappointed”.
He said it appeared Basketball Victoria could not be swayed the Pioneers could establish a women’s team.
Mr Kosch said the Pioneers now faced an uncertain future and club officials “feared for its existence”.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin described the situation as a “sad day” and “incredibly deflating” for Mount Gambier.
“I am shattered by this news, I will call the leadership of the Pioneers to find out what I can do – this is a crushing blow for Mount Gambier and the surrounding community,” Mr Pasin said.
The Liberal MP – who took the plight of the club to Federal Parliament – said the Pioneers was the only sporting club in the Barker electorate to play on the “national stage”.
Mr Pasin vented his anger over the decision and argued Basketball Australia and Basketball Victoria ought to be fostering grassroots basketball.
In a statement released by Basketball Victoria, the state regulator said 18 clubs had been invited to join the inaugural season of the new “senior elite league”.
Set to tip off in 2019, Basketball Victoria said these sides would form a high-calibre, invitational competition featuring elite players from across “Victoria, Tasmania and beyond”.
Basketball Victoria chief executive officer Nick Honey said the successful organisations would create a strong league set to attract premier talent for the upcoming winter basketball season.
“Basketball Victoria would like to congratulate the foundation licence holders of the senior elite league,” Honey said.
“These teams will forme an exciting, new league that offers extensive playing opportunities to high-calibre athletes throughout Victoria, Tasmania and for Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence scholarship holders.”
The statement did not address the Pioneers’ application to join the league.
