The Bendigo Spirit will have a new coach next season with Simon Pritchard to end his time at the club.
The Spirit announced on Monday that Pritchard would coach out the final two rounds but would not return, with the coaching job to be advertised in the coming days.
Simon Pritchard will not coach the Bendigo Spirit next season.
It's unclear whether foundation coach and two-time championship winner Bernie Harrower could make a surprise return or whether the club will look to bring in someone fresh to the role.
There could be more movement than usual this WNBL off-season with league greats Suzy Batkovic (Townsville) and Belinda Snell (Sydney) both retiring and with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on the horizon, potential Opals could be keen to play at home to make their cases for selection.
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Pritchard took charge of the team after club management ended Harrower's time with the club in 2014, leading the team through a difficult time as the club battled with big debts and the gradual departure of its championship-winning side.
Harrower and the club also engaged in a legal dispute over Harrowers departure which they settled in 2016 before it went to court.
Harrower attended a recent Spirit game and continues to live and run a business in Bendigo.
This season the Spirit, who have a 7-12 win-loss record, were close to a return to the finals but have faced some heart-breaking losses in the past two games as finals-bound teams Melbourne Boomers and Perth Lynx secured last-ditch comeback victories.
The Spirit are now operated by Bendigo Stadium Limited which runs the recently expanded Bendigo Stadium and general manager of sport Ben Harvey said the search for a coach would begin immediately.
"As we are now out of playoff contention, it's important we start planning for next season," Harvey said.
"The new coach will need to bring sound knowledge as well as the skills to instil a culture of success, determination and growth.
"We will commence the recruitment process post the regular season, to give the best opportunity to plan well in advance for the 2019-20 WNBL season."
BSL chief executive Nathan ONeill said the Spirit still believed they could return to being a championship contender.
"The WNBL has gone from strength to strength over the past few years, and we need to rise with it," ONeill said.
"A full post-season review took place last year, as well as partaking in ongoing reviews throughout this season to continue to benchmark ourselves both on and off court.
"Steps have been taken to be a force once again, and we will continue to work on raising the bar in all areas to deliver the ultimate success within the national league.
"We thank Simon for his contributions, hard work, and sheer commitment during his four-year tenure, and we wish him well in his future endeavours."
The Spirit host Adelaide Lightning at Bendigo Stadium on Thursday at 7pm.
Roy Ward is a Sports writer for The Age.
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The Bendigo Spirit will have a new coach next season with Simon Pritchard to end his time at the club.
The Spirit announced on Monday that Pritchard would coach out the final two rounds but would not return, with the coaching job to be advertised in the coming days.
Simon Pritchard will not coach the Bendigo Spirit next season.
It's unclear whether foundation coach and two-time championship winner Bernie Harrower could make a surprise return or whether the club will look to bring in someone fresh to the role.
There could be more movement than usual this WNBL off-season with league greats Suzy Batkovic (Townsville) and Belinda Snell (Sydney) both retiring and with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on the horizon, potential Opals could be keen to play at home to make their cases for selection.
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Pritchard took charge of the team after club management ended Harrower's time with the club in 2014, leading the team through a difficult time as the club battled with big debts and the gradual departure of its championship-winning side.
Harrower and the club also engaged in a legal dispute over Harrowers departure which they settled in 2016 before it went to court.
Harrower attended a recent Spirit game and continues to live and run a business in Bendigo.
This season the Spirit, who have a 7-12 win-loss record, were close to a return to the finals but have faced some heart-breaking losses in the past two games as finals-bound teams Melbourne Boomers and Perth Lynx secured last-ditch comeback victories.
The Spirit are now operated by Bendigo Stadium Limited which runs the recently expanded Bendigo Stadium and general manager of sport Ben Harvey said the search for a coach would begin immediately.
"As we are now out of playoff contention, it's important we start planning for next season," Harvey said.
"The new coach will need to bring sound knowledge as well as the skills to instil a culture of success, determination and growth.
"We will commence the recruitment process post the regular season, to give the best opportunity to plan well in advance for the 2019-20 WNBL season."
BSL chief executive Nathan ONeill said the Spirit still believed they could return to being a championship contender.
"The WNBL has gone from strength to strength over the past few years, and we need to rise with it," ONeill said.
"A full post-season review took place last year, as well as partaking in ongoing reviews throughout this season to continue to benchmark ourselves both on and off court.
"Steps have been taken to be a force once again, and we will continue to work on raising the bar in all areas to deliver the ultimate success within the national league.
"We thank Simon for his contributions, hard work, and sheer commitment during his four-year tenure, and we wish him well in his future endeavours."
The Spirit host Adelaide Lightning at Bendigo Stadium on Thursday at 7pm.
Roy Ward is a Sports writer for The Age.
