BOTH have new coaches, both are in division one and both are looking to have the same make-up in 2010.
The Warrnambool Seahawks and Mermaids Basketball Club have appointed their coaches for next season, with Tim Gainey to lead the men's side while Peter Davis will return to the helm of the Mermaids.
Davis steered Warrnambool to the 2006 division one women's championship.
"We basically had a junior team with a couple of experienced players," he recalled.
"I'm wanting to run a similar type of situation, where we have two or three senior players who are team leaders, then have the Mermaids as a development team for up and coming talent."
One of those senior players could be Davis' daughter and former WNBL player Katie Davis.
"At this stage she's moving back to Warrnambool at the end of the year to start work and she indicated she would like to be involved but she hasn't said yes yet," the new coach said.
He was pleased Warrnambool was back in division one.
"The Mermaids have a very, very good reputation in Warrnambool, both in seniors and juniors," he said.
"They've had strong groups for some time. I'm just excited to be involved in coaching them again."
The Mermaids were the division two women's minor premier last season under Lee Primmer before bowing out to Melbourne University in the semi-final.
"They had quite a good team so I'll be looking to build on that team with one or two additions," Davis said.
Next year will be Gainey's fourth with the Warrnambool Seahawks and his first as a senior head coach.
"Last year I helped out a bit and I coached the under 18 team," he said.
"I've watched other people in the league do the playing coach thing and thought it would be a good idea.
"I think it will be challenging playing as well but it depends on what type of assistant coach I get to run the bench.
"I think (the younger players) need that person in their ear (on the court) telling them when they're doing something right or wrong."
The American will take over from former NBL player Matt Alexander, who Gainey believed was unable to coach for another season because he was tied up with his work commitments.
Gainey was pleased with the Seahawks' development last season.
While they failed to win a game in 2007, prompting relegation to division one, this year they racked up four wins to finish 10th.
Gainey's early goal is simple.
"We just want to progress from last year because we've got a pretty young bunch," he said.
"The young ones gained a lot of experience this year, just knowing what the league is about.
"The plan is to attract a couple of older players either locally or from Melbourne."
Gainey believed the only loss from last season's team would be BJ Steere, who is moving to Melbourne.
The new coach plans to start training on January 3, running 2-3 sessions per week.
Davis also plans to start training in the new year.
He urged interested players to contact him on 5562 3336.
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