Stingrays plan to rebuild if relegated

CORIO Bay expects its local player contingent to be retained next season, even if the Big V club is relegated from State Championship to Division 1.

The Stingrays won just one game this season under firstyear coach Paul Hutchison, but president Cara Spangaro said there were enough mitigating factors this year — such as the late arrivals of their two imports — to suggest the club would be more competitive in the top flight in 2019.

While the Stingrays will make a submission to Big V to retain their place in State Championship, the decision will be taken out of their hands.

“Obviously our preferred division is State Champ men with two imports for season 2019, but we also feel like we’ll still retain our entire playing group if we were subsequently relegated to Division 1,” Spangaro said.

“We’d hope that would only be for a short term — we wouldn’t see ourselves playing in there for more than a couple of seasons.

“The group really came together through the season and we’re really positive the playing group will remain together for the season to come.

“Once the Big V applications are processed and we’re advised if we’re in State Champ men or Division 1, we’ll make some decisions around appointments of imports for next year.”

Spangaro said the club would present to the league a budget for two imports if it was to remain in the top division, as well as plans to blood a number of rising stars.

“There are a couple of our Youth League players who will have a permanent position in our State Champ (senior) men’s team for 2019, which is exciting,” she said.

“We’re really going to strengthen our program in regards to making it a team of homegrown players. That’s what our culture is about and ensuring there is pathways for our juniors.”

But Spangaro believes the Stingrays can turn relegation into a positive if they’re forced down a grade next season, pointing to the potential for growth in big man Chris Eichler.

“If we are relegated to Division 1, I do think it will give the boys a season to really work on the areas of the game together that they need to and really allow Chris Eichler to make his mark in that division as well.”

Hutchison has been retained as senior coach for 2019.