NEW coach Glenn Clarke knows all about success and with a new building to play out of, the Stirling Senators are hungry to be a Women's SBL contender again in 2016.

Clarke had tremendous success as a multiple championship winning coach at the Willetton Tigers and he returns to the fold to take over the reins at the Senators for the 2016 season.

Warwick Stadium will provide a lavish new home venue and Clarke will be looking to oversee a team that can improve on what was a disappointing 2015 season.

Coming off back to back playoff seasons in 2013 and 2014 following a four-year absence from the post-season, the Senators slipped in 2015 managing just four wins to only finish ahead of the one-win Lakeside Lightning.

That wasn’t something the Senators were happy with and as a result Clarke has been appointed as the new coach to try and building towards Stirling making their first Women's SBL grand final since 2007 and trying to win their first championship since 1994.

There have been some encouraging signings from the Senators to help in their cause as well highlighted by the arrival of import Kara Van Dyke.

She just happens to be the wife of men's import Kyle Lindbergh, but she has a strong resume in her own right who averaged 14 points and eight rebounds a game at Dordt College.

Stirling has also signed Chelsea Armstrong from the Kalamunda Eastern Suns while Taylor Bestry and Kelly Ellis both return. Rookies Amanda Beatson, Brianna Fisher, Eryn Fisher and Maddison Hooper could also find some court time.

Amber Land and Tegan Walker will remain the cornerstone pairing on the team and with some more help than they received in 2015, there's no reason the Senators can't genuinely push to be a good playoff team in 2016.

At the SBL Blitz that was held in conjunction with the opening of Warwick Stadium, the Senators won all four of their matches against the Cockburn Cougars, Kalamunda Eastern Suns, Joondalup Wolves and the Country team.

Stirling's 2016 Women's season begins on Friday March 18 at Warwick Stadium against the Lakeside Lightning.

ROSTER
Emma Berryman, Bridget Henderson, Aisha Collymore, Lyndal Gardner, Tegan Walker, Amber Land, Fiona Madden, Rebekah Throns, Kelly Ellis, Hannah Throns, Kara Van Dyke (restricted), Taylor Bestry, Chelsea Armstrong, Amanda Beatson, Maddison Hooper, Eryn Fisher, Brianna Fisher
Coach – Glenn Clarke

EXPERTS THOUGHTS
Championship Winning Coach - VLAD ALAVA
PREDICTION - 7th
Little change in their roster with the exception of a new import in Van Dyke and the return of former Suns captain Chelsea Armstrong. Have plenty of experience and if the bodies can hold up for the year will make finals.

MATT CECINS
PREDICTION – 7th
Glenn Clarke is a man that knows a thing or two about winning championships, and is back in the league as the Senators head coach. Taylor Bestry is a highly valuable addition, returning after travelling overseas. Amber Land is the best rebounder in the competition and the Senators now have greater depth and blend of players across all positions. Emma Berryman and Tegan Walker are excellent leaders and Chelsea Armstrong adds further cover at the guard position.

ANONYMOUS
PREDICTION – 7th
They have kept their core group together and Amber Land and Tegan Walker will again provide the backbone for new coach Glenn Clarke. Kara Van Dyke looks a good addition out of Dordt College. Capable of making the playoffs.

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Deprimo Photography