With the 2006 season tip off just around the corner, I think I speak on behalf of all the girls when I say BRING IT ON! The core group has been working hard together since late November, and now with the inclusion of returning students and first years into the squad they are all itching to get on to the court and play. As a group we are all committed to turning the women's program around and making it successful again. We know that the changes we are making wont just all happen straight away, but bit by bit the pieces are starting to come together. I have been really pleased with the effort that the girls have put in so far, and am excited by the potential I see this team as having. We have stepped up the level of professionalism, and with the inclusion of new players into the squad our goal of a finals spot is definitely realistic and in reach!

LTU stalwarts Michelle Lee and Krsytal Calvert's playing experience is invaluable and they have led by example since we began training. The inclusion of some new players has some of the pressure off both girls and I am really looking forward to watching them and be a major scoring threat and play more of their natural game this season. New recruit Benita Evans adds experience and provides us with plenty of toughness and grit. Beni has played in the league for Hume City and Diamond Valley and gives us plenty of flexibility as she can play most spots on the floor. Steph Cortese returns after a brilliant debut year with LTU. Steph will cop a lot of defensive heat from opposition teams this year as all in the league respect her scoring ability, however I really believe she can step her game up to another level and be a dominant player in the league. Steph will receive support from fellow hard working talls, Amber Farrington and Erin McCutcheon. From the crop of first year players, Jayda Hunter has been a stand out. Her debut at the pre season tournament was sensational and she fitted in well to our style of play. Jayda can handle the pressure of running the point, which is awesome for a first year player and will work well with Michelle Lee in the position. Fellow rookie Mel Fulton has been working hard at training and although her pre season has been interrupted by injury she is continuing to learn and develop.

We have two excellent players to return to the team from injury and we are hoping that both girls will be able to recover and be big contributors this season. Nikki Calvert will hopefully return for the season opener and give us another outside scoring threat. Her defensive full court pressure and the way in which she works so well with sister Krystal up the floor is great to watch. LTU physio student, Erin Rees, joins the squad this year after playing for the Ballarat Lady Miners. Reesy is tough and a great competitor and once fully fit will tear it up out on the court.

The Frankston pre season tournament was a big challenge for us, having to play strong dominant teams such as Dandenong and Nunawading. I was very pleased with the way in which the girls played, especially on the Sunday and in the game against Waverley. Each time we played we improved and we became more confident, individually and as a team. I was able to rotate all players through, and put different combinations on the floor without team work and level of intensity suffering, which holds us in good stead for the season ahead. As we continue to develop and improve we are going to play a very exciting and fast paced brand of basketball and I hope to see as many LTU supporters as possible at our games. We really want to make our home court somewhere that opposition teams dislike playing and somewhere that we have a great advantage. We can get the job done on the floor, but we need you, the spectators, to come along, be loud, be proud and support the girls!

Coach Mitch