Tara Murray
A new look Wyndham men’s team will take to the court in the Big V championship this season.
With a new look coaching squad led by Lucas Allen, the squad is busily working hard ahead of the season.
Allen said they were doing a lot of hard work in the lead up to the season. He said they had looked to reset the men’s program as they look to future.
“We’re working towards the season and knowing how to play with each other,” he said.
“It’s almost a brand new team and new coaching staff.
“We’re making some progress and hopefully by the time we’ve had our practice matches we’ll be ready for round one.”
While it’s a new look side for Wyndham, many of the faces joining the team this season are familiar.
Allan has made a focus of getting local players back to play in the area.
“I think it’s really big and important for us,” he said. “There’s always an element of wanting to recruit the best talent and recruit talent that is local.
“It was a big task of mine to try and recruit local players back to the team. We’re definitely taken some big steps with that.
“We want to be a destination club and that locals don’t want to go elsewhere.”
Manel Ayol, who played at Werribee, before heading to college and playing interstate and overseas, is one big name local to return.
Josh Norling returns from Coburg Giants, while Abram Tong and Matt Dean have both stepped up into the side from the club’s youth league and under-18s.
Keenan Gorski joins the club from Wallan Panthers.
The club had previously announced that American wing player Kavione Green would join the club as an import.
Allen had initially signed Kavione when coaching at Southern Peninsula, experiencing a full pre-season with each other before COVID saw the season being cancelled.
“We have maintained communication since KG initially went home after COVID hit, and when the opportunity to team up together again presented itself, we both acted immediately”.
Allen said he was looking forward to seeing how things they’ve put into place during the pre-season will work on court.
The side will kick off its season on March 19 against Chelsea Gulls.
Allen said they weren’t shying away from what they want to achieve.
“We are playing to win,” he said. “We want to win and have wins on the board as in two years time the objective is to have a good chance to go to NBL1.
“We want our youth team in the championship division. They’re big team goals, we have to win games to acheive them.”
