Geraldton Buccaneers take next steps in women’s team revival, taking applications for interim head coach

Geraldton Buccaneers have taken the next step in re-establishing its women’s side and are taking applications for an interim coach to identify and develop prospective local talent. In a social media post, the Buccs advertised for two volunteer positions, calling for interested candidates to “help shape the future of women’s basketball in the Mid West”. Applications for the coach and team manager roles close 5pm this Wednesday. Geraldton Amateur Basketball Association vice-president Natasha Harradine is part of a group assembled to get the women’s program under way. She said the coaching role would focus on local talent identification and development. “We want someone who can work with our local athletes, be looking at how we can extend or reach each athlete’s potential from where they’re at,” she said. “As we get closer to 2027, we’ll look for a head coach that has a lot of experience in that level of basketball because we want to make sure that we set up a team for success.” Last year, the GABA welcomed the NBL1 commission’s announcement to relaunch the women’s Buccs team for the 2027 season. The Buccs previously fielded a women’s team between 2005 and 2008. Harradine said there had been plenty of interest in the role, even before applications officially opened. “Ideally, we want this to be in place quickly so someone can start the process of trials for a squad and a training plan to get us through winter,” she said. Harradine said acquiring funding for the second side was the biggest challenge so far, and was calling on potential sponsors to reach out. “We’re doing a lot of work behind the scenes on that,” she said. “We’re trying to be active in this space so that we’re ready to go when it comes into line at the right time.” In the men’s program, Harradine expected some “really exciting” squad announcements would not “be too far away”. “I think everyone will be pretty happy with what is coming together in due time,” she said.