The Pioneers Basketball Club Board has hit the ground running, confirming the club's head coaches will return for the 2022 NBL1 South season.
Club President Tom Kosch was thrilled to announce that both Matt Sutton and Richard Hill would return as respective coaches of the club's women's and men's programs in 2022.
''To have both Matt and Richard recommit for 2022 is huge for our club’s planning and shaping our programs ready for a successful year ahead,” Tom Kosch said.
In the club’s first-ever NBL1 South season, the competition was cut short, with only 13 completed games for the Pioneers in 2021 due to the lockdown extensions of in Victoria and state border closures.
''Coming off the disappointment of the eventually cancelled season, it was a priority for our Board to retain our current coaches.
"Both Matt and Richard have been outstanding during some challenging years and continue to remain passionate and motivated for the further development of our programs."
The 2021 season was Matt’s second season as head coach of the women’s program.
The Pioneers posted three wins although they were showing great progress in the back half of the season before the season was cancelled.
"The club and league have been fantastic through a challenging time, so I look forward to a successful 2022 season," Matt Sutton said.
''We have taken some positive steps in a small amount of time, so I am looking forward to that continuing."
"Currently, the focus is on the development and retention of our player group, we will then look to add what we need around that to further strengthen our roster."
The Pioneers men won nine of their 13 games in the 2021 season.
Richard Hill joined the Pioneers in 2012 and has led Mount Gambier’s men’s program to five conference and three national championships over his time as head coach.
"Committing to the Pioneers for 2022 was very easy, following the disappointments of the last two seasons," Richard Hill said.
"Our board, our sponsors, fans and the community are tremendously supportive of the Pioneers.
"This makes being part of this organisation both enjoyable and rewarding - I am excited by our prospects for 2022.
"I am extremely keen to continue to work with this player group – the group has tremendous upside, and I am keen to see how much more improvement we can have from within."
The focus for both Matt and Richard is to retain the core player group and add the required talent to compete at the top end of NBL1 South competition.
The Club will make announcements about returning players and new signings for the 2022 season in the coming weeks.
