“We’ve essentially lost our starting XI of Ema and Maddie Iredell, Liv and Caitlin Jones-Story and Tamara Ludekens, who has returned to Melbourne. When you lose your starting XI, it leaves a huge gap that needs to be filled,” he said.

“The decision was very difficult for us because we like to combine our women’s and men’s programs.

“Unfortunately, we felt that the disadvantages of fielding a women’s team this season likely outweighed the benefits.”

Mr Grace said the association would endeavour to involve its younger female representative players with a special training programme this season.

“In the under-18 and under-16 girls, there are some top players who would have been at training and possibly played a few games as well, so we will include them by organising extra sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the women are training,” he said.

“There are even a few players under 16 like Ruby Bethune and Rani Potter, two of our rising stars in that age group, who we would also like to involve further.

“We’re probably at the point now where the ladies who have served us so well in recent years are no longer available this year and there is a transition period where we now have to look for the younger ones.”

Mr Grace thanked the Horsham basketball community for their understanding of the situation.

“A lot of people in the community are going to be disappointed, and we’re pretty disappointed that we had to make this decision, but we’re confident they’ll be back next year, and we’re going to bust our butts to make sure it works because the women’s program is very important,” he said.

Men’s coach in office

Meanwhile, the Hornets’ CBL team will continue playing in the 2024/25 season, with coach Scott Benbow and assistant coach Matt Lovel confirmed in their positions.

Mr Grace said the team was on the hunt for more success after reaching the finals last season.

“In the last three years they have won a championship, been knocked out in the first final and then lost in the grand final. So it has been three very good years for them,” he said.

“It was a no-brainer to bring Benbow and Lovel back into the team and take another shot at winning another CBL championship.

“They’re both excited about it and it looks like we’ll have a pretty similar team with a few new players.”

The full issue of The Weekly Advertiser dated 21 August 2024 is available online. READ IT HERE!