Dubbo basketball is set for an infusion of young blood ahead of the 2020 Waratah Stage League season.
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Dubbo Basketball Association's State League coordinator Stacey O'Neill said early preparations have already yielded a promising crop of prospective players for the Rams' two senior sides.
Trials for the men's and women's teams started last Wednesday night, with another set for this week.
"We had a good turnout at our first round of trials," O'Neill said.
"We had eleven women trialling and we had fifteen men coming out to try for the men's team.
"I think that's a pretty good turn-up especially right now, we're trying to get organised well and truly ahead of next year."
Many of those young players got a chance last season, a campaign in which the Rams only won one game.
"We have a relatively young side with the men's team, I know we've got three players that have just finished under 18s and two of them played in the team last year as development players," O'Neill said.
"We've got another under 18s development player trialling as well at the moment."
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While youth looks set to outnumber experience in the lineup, the teams are yet to be finalised and there is still another trial session yet to come, after which coaches Cara Gordon and Michael O'Neill will draw up their final rosters.
"Our outlook right now is to be competitive," O'Neill said.
"We're trying to build and we've got a very young side. We've got a couple of new additions this year that are in their early 20s.
"When you're looking at that age, you're looking at age over experience and they're going to give it everything they've got."
The men will be bolstered by returning captain Damien Reid and Canadian big man Rob Dewar, both of who will be lending valuable experience to the side.
"Damien Reid is returning," O'Neill said.
"Rob Dewar as well, he was our leading point-scorer last year. He missed a few games towards the end, but he was the leading point-scorer across the whole competition and he'll be coming back."
While the side isn't ready yet to commit to other imports with another trial and plenty of 'fresh, new faces' waiting in the wings, the strength of the Rams' junior roster has allowed Dubbo Basketball to focus its attention on the seniors for now.
"We've got some very strong juniors coming through in our junior competition, so we're strengthening our seniors at the moment," O'Neill said.
"By the time our juniors are coming up and through, they'll be more experienced and be ready."
O'Neill noted that the Rams' older players are finding it harder and harder to devote time to the side due to work and family commitments, but that younger players who experienced a full season last year are coming on strong, with names like James O'Neill and Rohan Birrell again expected to be a key part of the men's senior side.
"We're looking strong. With 26 players turning up for that trial it's a good sign for Dubbo," O'Neill added.
"We've got people even coming in from other cities and towns and the women are just as keen to compete this year."
The second round of trials will be conducted on Wednesday 11 December at 6.45pm.