Warrnambool Mermaids captain Renee Tuck credits coach Louise Brown for Big V success

That’s the assessment from captain and long-time Mermaids guard Renee Tuck.

Tuck said Brown’s dedication – firstly to help revive the Mermaids’ program after three years in the wilderness and then lead it to a division two championship – was remarkable.

“She has been the real driving force to get this team back up and running,” she said after their grand final series clean-sweep over Wallan on Saturday night.

“Since CBL last season, she’s been working behind the scenes to get the girls together, put a team together and get us all on the same page.

“She’s just been amazing.”

Tuck, who was a member of the Mermaids’ 2011-12 division one championship-winning teams, said it was exciting to help them return to the statewide competition’s fold.

“It means everything. All the hard work we’ve put in to get this team back on the court and come away with a title is just amazing,” she said.

“It’s been so enjoyable. Every championship is special. This one will probably be my last – I don’t think I am going to keep playing next year – but it’s awesome.”

Tuck joined Brown, Amy Wormald, Maddy White, Holly Greene, Molly McKinnon, Lily Killey, Ellen Zeunert, Chelsea McMahon, Marli Blackney-Noter, Carly Pulling and Abbey Sutherland as championship winners on Saturday night.