Echuca Pirates ready to set sail ahead of CBL season

Coach Leo Tenace will return to the helm for the Pirates’ 2021/22 campaign, though it could be his swansong.

“I was happy to do it again; it was a bit of a short, unfulfilled season last year,” he said.

“We were only a shot away from making the finals in an shortened season.

“I'm probably ready to hand the reins over sooner rather than later, but I think we probably need to go one more year.”

With the COVID-19 pandemic still running rampant, it's unclear how the upcoming season, including the number and locations of games, will look.

Last year was a shortened six-game season, which gives clubs some indication as to how a season could get off the ground.

“I'm not sure how they will organise the competition, where it's the same conference; it's all up in the air,” Tenace said.

“Last year, we just went out to have a bit of fun. We didn't know if we would play, and this year seems the same.

“We'll just go out and get everyone involved, and enjoy it for what we've got and be grateful to be playing.”

Along with a focus on fun, junior development will be another key cornerstone of the season.

“I think our core group will come back and be ready to go, and hopefully we find a couple more junior Pirates through the program,” Tenace said.

“We want to keep injecting youth and have longevity in the program and a real local focus.

“We won the tournament two years ago, and all bar two came from the junior Pirate program.”

As for the Echuca Pirates women's team, fresh leadership will usher in a new era for the squad as it looks to better its 0-4 record from last year.

Current senior players Zara Pearson and Georgie Eishold will step up into a co-coaching role, taking over from club president Lisa Baker, who has turned her focus back towards the junior ranks.

Eishold said she and Pearson were excited to get back on court as both coaches and players.

“We originally came together and understood we both wanted to commit to playing for the season, and having the conversation, we wanted to put our knowledge of the game together and support each other and take on a role we were capable of together,” Eishold said.

“We want the juniors to look up and see the program, and that you can work your way up from under 12s all the way up to seniors.”

Eishold said the women's team was blessed with a committed group of women's players.

“Fingers crossed everything goes ahead, but regardless we're just excited to get the opportunity to get to training,” she said.

“Looking back on previous seasons, we've been fortunate to have a similar group of girls, who rain, hail or shine, continue to show up for training and games.

“And we have talent throughout our juniors, and that is an area we are also looking at.

“Overall, the girls are wanting to get better and improve, and there is a passion there for the game.”