Big V Division 2 Women prepare for a big season of basketball

Clubs are primed and ready for the start of the Big V Division 2 women’s season starts this weekend. Here’s a look at the key players and comments from each club.

There will be star players across the competition.

The race for the Big V Division 2 Women’s title is set to tip-off this weekend.

Ten teams will battle it out for the championship with Gippsland United and Surf Coast the two newcomers to the competition.

Here’s how every team is looking ahead of the new season.

Altona

The Gators will again be hoping to establish themselves as the team to beat in Division 2 after they looked on course for a premiership challenge. Altona just dropped two matches last season in 14 games. Cam Wilkosz will again be in charge of the team.

Blackburn

The Vikings will be led by a new-look coaching staff with Simon Hickey stepping into the head coaching role. They sat fifth on the ladder when play was called off in 2021 and looms as a big improver this season.

What the club said: “I’ve been super impressed with the depth in our team. We won’t be losing anything when we make changes off the bench. We want to be making finals and in the off-season we’ve managed to keep most of the core group together. I want my players to get the best out of themselves and I’ll reward whoever is playing on any given day.” – Coach Simon Hickey

Coburg

Tenille Cann has been lured out of retirement by Coburg. Picture: Kylie Else

The Giants sat third with 10 wins and four losses after 14 games last season before play was stopped. With almost a complete roster turnover in the off-season it remains to be seen just how Coburg performs this season. However, the club is still talking up their chances of success.

What the club said: “We’ve basically put together an entire new team with only three players retained from last season. I think we will be more dynamic than previous seasons which will give us more of a threat from the inside and outside. It was important to add some veterans to our side including Tenille Cann who has WNBL experience with Bulleen.” – Coach Amanda Aldridge

Collingwood

By its own admission, Collingwood has been below where they want to be in recent years but there are positive signs they’ve now turned the corner. With new players on board, there’s every possibility they could win a lot more than two games than they did in 2021.

What the club said: “The last couple of years have been a struggle but we’re confident the club is now on the right path in respect to our women’s team. This is a new group that’s had a few changes to last season’s roster. I’m excited about their potential and think they could definitely push towards finals.” – Director of coaching Manny Hendrix

Corio Bay

After four wins in 2021, the Stingrays will be desperate to improve and move up the ladder. Jason Bannerman was announced as the club’s coach in October.

Gippsland United

Gippsland United are one of two new teams in the competition. Photo: Facebook.

One of two newcomers, United are keen to make a big impression on the competition. There’s a strong local flavour on the roster headlined by Chloe Hogg who is fresh off winning an MVP in the Country Basketball League. Meanwhile, Makenzie Miller looms as an exciting import.

What the club said: “It’s an exciting time to be part of the club and to step into the role of women’s coach is a huge honour for me. We know we have an excellent talent base in our region. We’re really excited to by the group we’ve managed to put together and it will be exciting to see just how far we’ve come. Chloe Hogg is one of the local talents in our team and she is wise beyond her years. I’m looking forward to seeing her continue to develop after winning the MVP in the Country Basketball League.

Roster: Makenzie Miller, Laura Vannapraseuth, Chloe Hogg, Joey Watson, Sienna Privitera, Jordan Pyle, Asha Nightingale, Emily Scholtes, Jamie Gellatly, Macey McGlead, Tyla Angwin, Lauren King-Church, Mish Clarke, Carly Wood. Development players: Hannah Kelly, Shanelle Kingston, Taylah Murtagh.

Mornington

Mornington's coaches of its women's sides for 2022. Photo: Facebook.

The Breakers had just two wins to their name in 2021 but some big changes on and off the court have them primed to make a move up the ladder. Coach Brett Spicer admitted pre-season has been interrupted but is excited about the glimpses he has seen in practice matches and training sessions.

What the club said: “It’s a bit hard to tell where we sit at the moment. In my first season as coach we have basically put a whole new team together. We added experienced heads to help guide the team and also retained a couple of players from last season. We managed to find our centre on the eve of the season which was a massive boost.” – Coach Brett Spicer

Roster: Rebecca Borham, Chloe Davenport, Caragh Doria, Kirra Gadsby, Bridget Gamble, Inez Lie, Erin Ludwick, Jessica McCulloch, Courtney Plattfuss, Madison Smith, Molly Turner. Training players: Sarah Davenport, Holy Harvey, Jess Murfett, Gracie Reidy, Melissa Swaine.

RMIT

Last season, the Redbacks very much found themselves in the middle of the road after finishing with seven wins and seven losses. The club hasn’t given too much away in terms of its team make-up with no official announcements via social media channels.

Surf Coast

The second new team on the block for the 2022 season. The Chargers recently finished their maiden Country Basketball League campaign as the club looks to make its mark on the Victorian basketball scene. They could be the case of the great unknown in an exciting season.

Wallan

The Panthers sat around the mark for a lot of last season and should be confident of contending with the best teams in the division once again. Captain Sarah Scott is an excellent leader on the court and will play a big role in her side’s championship hopes.

Roster: Sarah Scott (captain), Carly Simons (vice-captain), Kaitlyn Bickerton, Katarina Kekez, Georgia Knight, Erin Mifsud, Amber Ross, Jacinta Scott, Kaitlyn Wakartschuk. Coach: Carey Papanicolaou.