Warrnambool Mermaids' Big V campaign over but depth for 2022 season impressive

The Mermaids defeated Melbourne University on July 10 before a series of statewide coronavirus lockdowns threw their campaign into disarray.

Their one chance to play since - an away game against Mildura - was cancelled due to restrictions impacting accommodation choices.

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Play can take place in regional Victoria but many of the Mermaids' rivals are based in metropolitan Melbourne which is under strict restrictions, including a curfew.

Big V announced on Wednesday its plans, given competition can't resume until September 3 at the earliest.

The remaining regular season games were cancelled and finals changed to a top-four format, ruling the Mermaids out.

Primmer said he was resigned to the fact before the announcement.

But he said enthusiasm remained strong. He is coaching the club's under 18 representative squad this summer which will feature a host of Big V players.

"A lot of our training will revert back to individual skills for the kids," Primmer said.

"Everyone needs to improve their skill level and probably have a few more tools in their toolbox than what they've got now."

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Primmer said the squad programs, including under 16s and Country Basketball League summer competition, which is based in south-west Victoria, were important to provide "a smooth transition to Big V".

He wants to call on experienced players, such as former WNBL duo Nicole Gynes and Katie O'Keefe, to pass their knowledge onto the next generation ahead of next season too.

"We're trying to utilise their experience in the point guard and two spots as they've played for Australia and in the WNBL, to come and do three and four-week blocks in the off-season, probably after (Hampden) netball has finished," Primmer said.

"There is nothing better than to have Mia Mills and Molly McLaren with Nicole working out and improving their point guard skills.

"You get an Ava Bishop, a Paiyton Noonan, a Molly McKinnon working with Katie, who played in the two spot for Australia in the under 19s. They have lived in a basketball environment. They know what is expected. It also gives another voice."

Seahawks and Mermaids president Jacob Sobey said he was thrilled with the commitment from the association's young players.

But he said it had been a challenging season to navigate.

"On the other end, there are probably some aspects of the program that are over the drawn-out year to be honest," he said.

"We'll regroup and work out what our plan is for the next 12 to 18 months.

"Hopefully we can maintain the core groups of our programs and maintain our coaches as well but we'll take some time away now to regroup."

Sobey said it was important to keep the pathway open to players.

"We saw the upside of getting teams back onto the court and crowds back to the Arc," he said. "Otherwise you start to lose momentum. Even with the Olympics going on, we want to ride that momentum going into next year and that enthusiasm going into basketball."