Demotion has a big downside

BASKETBALL Geelong chief executive Dean Anglin says the region would be losing an asset if Corio Bay Stingrays are relegated to Big V Division 1.

The State Championship men’s side finished on the bottom of the ladder this season and looks destined for relegation, which would see the Stingrays clash with Geelong Supercats’ Division 1 team next season.

Anglin said demotion would leave a hole in players’ pathway to SEABL basketball.

“I only have concerns in terms of the players,” he said.

“In an ideal world, Geelong is perfectly positioned with a Division 1 side, a Championship side and a SEABL side. I think it will be disappointing if Corio is relegated to Division 1.

“It’s a structure that really means that this region has some really strong basketball potential.

“You get an opportunity for a player to step up and go from Division 1 to Championship or a player to come down from SEABL to Championship.”

But Anglin said State Championship survival looked unlikely for the Stingrays.

“It looks like it’s inevitable, I think, that they’re going to be in Division 1,” he said. “Hopefully that won’t be the case for very long.

“I don’t mind the local derby side of things, I don’t think that’s bad for anyone.

“But I just think from a player’s point of view, certainly a men’s playing point of view, the pathway is perfect to have all the levels.”

Promotion and relegation will be at Basketball Victoria’s discretion, but the Stingrays would likely only survive demotion if the Division 1 champion declined promotion.