Athletic forward Tim Gainey and respected junior coach Rebel Noter have signed on as joint coaches of the 2013 division one men’s side.

Gainey has coached the Seahawks for the past three seasons, while Noter’s commitment to Warrnambool basketball spans two decades.

Warrnambool Seahawks and Mermaids president Kerrie Sobey said Gainey and Noter would form a strong team, capable of leading the Seahawks up the ladder. 

“It’s a way of utilising both personalities to bring ideas to the game and to help Tim out,” she said.

“They will complement each other because Rebel will be on the bench directing play and Tim will play and be a mentor on the court.

“I think it will be great.”

Gainey, said sharing the responsibility would have positive flow-on effects for the Seahawks, who are likely to have a number of teenage up-and-comers on their playing list. “I think it will be good. Because we have a lot of young kids coming through now I guess having joint coaches then allows me to focus on playing on game nights,” he said.

“Preparing will be pretty similar.”

Noter, 43, spent 10 seasons on the Seahawks’ roster and was an assistant coach in their 1997 championship-winning season.

He also played in the Seahawks’ 1998 championship.

“I have been involved with them for 20 years and have coached juniors right through since the 1990s,” Noter said.

“Looking at it and the development of Warrnambool basketball, I thought there was something I could offer them.

“Kids from under 16s up are showing they have promising careers ahead of them. 

“It’s the right time to get involved and make sure there’s a stepping stone.”

Gainey said the Seahawks had lost Dion Smith (Geelong), Jake Spruhan (Sherbrook) and Jacob Sobey (moved to Melbourne) from their 2012 roster, which finished with an 11-11 win-loss record.  He said the playing future of star American centre Cam Mitchell was unclear.

Warrnambool will have Big V try-outs on December 13.

Gainey said the Seahawks would run with a squad of 12. 

“There could be a lot of new faces,” he said.

“I expect the ones who have started to play a lot of CBL to try out.”

Gainey said Warrnambool would also canvass Portland, Colac and Terang for potential recruits. 

justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au