Sport
2 October, 2025
Tornadoes ready for season opener
THE Terang Tornadoes are eying improvement from their young squad when Country Basketball League action returns this weekend.
Tornadoes open men’s coach Tom Symons was looking to show development after the young squad fell to eighth on the ladder last season.
“We’ve got a young group made up of mostly Terang kids, with a few kids from Warrnambool,” he said.
“We’re hoping to get some more improvement for the younger guys, so that’s our major goal.”
Symons said opening the season this Sunday, October 4 at home against Horsham would provide a strong litmus test as the Hornets last year finished top of the table.
“Horsham have just come off winning last season, so we know the first game is going to be tough,” he said.
“But we think we can make incremental improvements and be better than previous years.”
Symons said he was looking for contributions from some new members of the squad, in addition to the emergence of some younger players in leadership.
“Jack Fowler has another year under his belt from last season and we’re hoping Jake Bartlett will step up from a leadership point of view,” he said.
“We’re welcoming some new guys to the club who will be in their first years for Terang, so we’re looking for some of the younger guys from last year to step up into a leadership role this year.”
Symons said basketball was growing from strength-to-strength in the region, which was helping teams bolster their playing ranks through the addition of local players.
“I think National Basketball League has grown a lot stronger, which has bled down into the country leagues,” he said.
“Now it’s very popular as opposed to football and netball being the predominant sports.
“Basketball is giving kids another option, and it’s really exploded over the past 10 years.”
The Terang Tornadoes will open the 2025 season this Saturday, October 4 at 7pm at the Terang and District Indoor Sport and Recreation Centre.
Symons said he was hoping to see plenty of support in the stands to cheer on the local squad.
“Terang has a real advantage over a lot of other associations, where we punch above our weight,” he said.
“I’d expect the same here with the crowds and people coming along to support.
“We’re really looking forward to it.”
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