COACH STUCK IN LOCK-DOWN
Neers coach mentoring from afar in testing circumstances
BASKETBALL: Martyn Ford was hoping that the Mountaineers would be preparing for the finals of the NBL1 North at this stage of the year.
This weekend would’ve marked round 13 of the statewide competition, with the playoffs set down for the start of August.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced a lot of plans to change in 2020, and Ford’s hopes of joining the Mountaineers for the start of the QSL season have been dealt a cruel blow.
Ford is currently with family in north Melbourne, with the capital city caught up in the midst of increasing COVID-19 case numbers.
With Queensland border restrictions to southern travellers and a six-week lockdown period enforced by Victorian premier Daniel Andrews, Ford cannot return to Queensland for the time being.
“There’s mixed emotions with everyone down here at the moment,” Ford said.
“There’s no senior basketball. They’re saying six weeks but I think it might be longer.
“Kids were excited to get back on the court, and it’s just devastating for them.
“I was getting ready to come back up, then I got notified that I can’t get back up (for now), which is pretty disappointing.
“I’m glad the guys can still play up there and I’m happy for them.”
He holds out hope that once the situation becomes a safe one, a window will open to reunite with the team for the second half of its QSL campaign.
“Hopefully I can get back up for the second half of the season,” he said.
“We’ll see how we go. We’re here for six weeks, and then it depends on what the Queensland government allows after that.
“I have every confidence in (coaches) Matt Cox, Ash Peters and Darryl Allen. They’re good coaches and I have every faith in them and the boys.”
While not physically present, Ford said he is still in constant contact with the squad and coaching staff as they prepare for a tilt against
some of the hottest rosters in Queensland.
“I’m still in contact and doing all the planning all the same, the only difference is I’m not there,” he said.
“We’ve got great coaches there and they seem to be doing everything well. Training is going good.
“It’s going to be an interesting season with just 12 weeks. A lot of the teams have loaded right up.”
With three men’s teams to represent Toowoomba, Ford said it was a great chance to focus on the future of the
Mountaineers.
“For the development of basketball it’s great to be able to field three men’s sides,” he said
“It’s going to be interesting who some of these loaded teams are.
“The QSL is a good platform for NBL1 development. With a few of these players it will turn the QSL into the NBL1 (this year).
“It’s good for players to get exposed to these top level guys, but a bad thing is it takes away from development.
“We’re using it purely as a development for players and looking long term.”