After two years of frustration, the countdown is on to what everyone hopes to be the biggest season of the decade for the Mount Gambier Pioneers.
Following a forgetful 2020 where no play was possible, the Pioneers hoped for brighter pastures last year, only to play 13 games due to more coronavirus issues.
But a new year is here with hope of border restrictions disappearing brighter than ever and in 81 days’ time Mount Gambier’s men and women will be shooting hoops in front of a packed Icehouse tipping off the 2022 NBL1 South seasons.
The significant season starts on Saturday, April 23 which will be an unmissable night with Mount Gambier hosting the Diamond Valley Eagles and the fun continues with another men’s and women’s double at home a week later against Frankston Blues.
Fans will get to convene on the Icehouse 11 times in the new season, while 11 road trips are also squeezed into the stacked 16-round season.
Mount Gambier Pioneers president Tom Kosch said it was a buzz to see the fixture announced after a torrid time recently.
“After the early cancellation of the 2021 season, we are hugely excited to have the fixture announced and bring basketball back to Mount Gambier,” he said.
“We understand entertainment events have been challenging lately, so it will be great to see 11 home games in 2022.”
Kosch revealed preparations for 2022 were already in full swing with the local stars training hard and player announcements coming thick and fast.
“Our women have been going pretty hard since the early part of January, although they did have a little COVID disruption a couple of weeks ago,” he said.
“But those players who are not positive are still doing their own training, while the men are doing a couple of three-day camps. In March they will get into the serious stuff when some preseason games are played.”
Tonight the Pioneers will hold its Annual General Meeting at the Commodore.
THE ROAD AHEAD FOR THE MOUNT GAMBIER PIONEERS
Saturday April 23: Mt Gambier Pioneers v Diamond Valley Eagles at The Icehouse.
Saturday April 30: Mt Gambier Pioneers v Frankston Blues at The Icehouse.
Saturday May 7: Casey Cavaliers v Mt Gambier Pioneers at Casey Stadium.
Sunday May 8: Dandenong Rangers v Mt Gambier Pioneers at Dandenong Basketball Stadium.
Saturday May 14: Ringwood Hawks v Mt Gambier Pioneers at The Rings.
Sunday May 15: Keilor Thunder v Mt Gambier Pioneers at Keilor Stadium.
Friday May 20: Mt Gambier Pioneers v Geelong Supercats at The Icehouse.
Saturday May 28: Mt Gambier Pioneers v Melbourne Tigers at The Icehouse.
Saturday June 4: Frankston Blues v Mt Gambier Pioneers at Frankston Basketball Stadium.
Sunday June 5: Nunawading Spectres v Mt Gambier Pioneers at Nunawading Basketball Centre.
Saturday June 18: Mt Gambier Pioneers v Kilsyth Cobras at The Icehouse.
Saturday June 25: Mt Gambier Pioneers v Hobart Chargers at The Icehouse.
Saturday July 2: Mt Gambier Pioneers v Eltham Wildcats at The Icehouse.
Saturday July 9: Diamond Valley Eagles v Mt Gambier Pioneers at Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre.
Sunday July 10: Sandringham Sabres v Mt Gambier Pioneers at Southern Basketball Stadium.
Saturday July 16: Mt Gambier Pioneers v Nunawading Spectres at The Icehouse.
Saturday July 23: Mt Gambier Pioneers v Launceston Tornadoes at The Icehouse.
Saturday July 30: Bendigo Braves v Mt Gambier Pioneers at Bendigo Stadium.
Sunday July 31: Geelong Supercats v Mt Gambier Pioneers at The Geelong Arena.
Saturday August 6: Mt Gambier Pioneers v Knox Raiders at The Icehouse.
Friday August 12: Mt Gambier Pioneers v Ballarat Miners at The Icehouse.
Saturday August 14: Waverley Falcons v Mt Gambier Pioneers at Waverley Basketball Centre.
