CRUCIAL DECISION ’NEERS
Club stakeholders rally ahead of major QBL discussion
BASKETBALL: Toowoomba Mountaineers chairman James O’Shea is leading a call-to-arms ahead of a crucial meeting to decide the club’s future tonight.
The open forum, chaired by board member John Gouldson, will be held at the Clive Berghofer Arena at St Mary’s College from 6pm tonight with the consensus from those attending to be taken to a board meeting next Tuesday to decide whether the club will drop out of the QBL.
After those in attendance have had their say, a show of hands will be used to gauge whether the Mountaineers should stay in the QBL.
Tonight’s outcome, however, does not bind the board to any decision.
Ahead of the discussions, club chairman O’Shea is urging the community to come and have their say in what could be a defining moment for the club’s future.
“In a perfect world I want to see the Mountaineers play in the QBL but I’d like all avenues to be explored,” he said.
“I think it’s paramount that we have a team represented in the premier competition in the state.
“This meeting is really, really important for anyone who has an opinion on the Mountaineers - whether that’s with the QBL or not to make a contribution and support whatever side because this meeting will play a pivotal role in what route the Mountaineers take.”
The meeting was sparked by the end-of-season report by men’s coach Anthony Corcoran which suggested the club pull out of the QBL next season.
Mountaineers stalwart Harry Spencer, who has held a number of roles at the association over the past 50 years, sees no going back from this decision.
“People are talking about going out for one year and coming back in but that’s not going to work,” he said.
“If they don’t want to continue the program we lose the confidence and respect we have built over 50 years.
“I’m very anxious to see what people say we need to do to continue the program because there will be some fence-sitters.
“I’m not sure after 50 years and three poor seasons this is the way to go.”