AROUND 1100 people crammed into the Icehouse on Saturday night to witness the Mount Gambier Pioneers Basketball Club return to the court after a tumultuous period.
Emotions ran high at the highly anticipated blockbuster given the club’s arduous fight for survival.
But it appears the club’s difficult journey has triggered a groundswell of support from the community with the stands at the Icehouse filled to capacity.
The massive crowd also witnessed the rebirth of a Pioneers women’s team in Mount Gambier, which was a key entry requirement into the South Australian Premier League.
Pioneers board chair Tom Kosch said he was thrilled by the community support at the Icehouse for the double-header, which resulted in explosive on-court action.
“We had a capacity crowd, which was fantastic,” Mr Kosch told The Border Watch yesterday.
“We had a bigger crowds that was we have seen at some conference finals, which is incredible.”
He said this massive attendance showed the continual grassroots support flowing for the Pioneers, which have been entrenched in the Mount Gambier for more than 30 years.
“It was such a reward for the playing group and the board to see the community support with a packed crowd.”
Mr Kosch said the women’s team was able to pull of a win at its first appearance at the Icehouse, which was a great outcome.
“This proves Mount Gambier can put together a competitive women’s team,” the club leader said.
He said Saturday night’s crowd numbers and on court results demonstrated a strong future for the club.
Under the guidance of coach Matt Sutton, he foreshadowed the women’s team – which was showcasing regional female talented basketballers – would continue to “grow and develop”.
He said the development of the women’s squad was particularly pleasing given it somewhat “rushed” due to tight deadlines.
Mr Kosch thanked major sponsors OneFortyOne Plantations and Castec Rural Supplies for financially underpinning both teams.
While the Pioneers have secured a spot in the South Australia Basketball Premier League this season, officials will apply for the club to be accepted into the Victoria-based elite league next year.
This follows the Pioneers being barred this year from entering the new elite Victorian based league.
Mount Gambier was added to the men’s and women’s top tier competitions in the SA Premier League after the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) was disbanded and the country club was denied a place in the new Victorian senior elite competition.
