Mountaineers make decision to drop down a division for first time

The Toowoomba Mountaineers have made a difficult decision they hope will help the basketball program

JaKobe Hunter puts up a shot for the Mountaineers.

BASKETBALL: For the first time in the club’s 54-year history the Toowoomba Mountaineers will not play in Queensland’s top basketball competition.

When 2021 tips-off the Mountaineers will be lining up in the QSL and not the NBL1.

“We had to make a decision on competing in the NBL1 North by September 30,” Toowoomba Mountaineers Limited board of directors member John Gouldson said.

“Because of all the uncertainties bought on by COVID and the availability of overseas import players we felt we could not commit to the NBL 1 program on the basis that we could not compete at that level without imports.

“We weren’t sure if we could get them (import players) or raise the money to bring them in due to businesses and supporters being hit hard by COVID restrictions.”

The decision is a blow to the club who have a proud QBL history but Gouldson believes the Mountaineers can now focus on growth.

“It’s a big decision and it is disappointing,” Gouldson said.

“But we’re confident with a good recruiting and building program we can develop.

“It starts at those lower levels, we need to have a bigger base and have coaches that can bring those junior players through to the senior ranks.

“We’re currently seeking applicants for the men and women’s QSL coaching positions and we’re confident that with the right coaches we will be competitive.

“We’ve got the players here we just have to get them wanting to play.”

How long the Mountaineers will line up in the QSL is yet to be decided.

“We’re debating it at length,” Gouldson said.

“There are some (board members) that want to have a moratorium for a number of years.

“There are others that want to see how we go year by year.

“I think it’s fair to say now we will see how the year goes and in 2022 will decide if we nominate (for NBL 1 North).”

Originally published as Mountaineers make decision to drop down a division for first time