The Seahawks and Mermaids, who used the summer competition as a development program for players striving to play regular Big V minutes, struggled to fill coaching positions.

President Jacob Sobey said they would spend the hiatus planning how they wanted to use the CBL in future seasons.

“Although we could build a team, we don’t base it on players,” he said.

“We base it on a coach having to build a team. With a lot of our coaches involved with the Big V the past year or so, they were after a break.

“In the past we’ve transitioned juniors and the girls used it as a reboot back into the Big V which we saw this year.”

Sobey said the introduction of under 20 representative squads would help bridge the gap.

The Victorian squad season starts in Millicent on October 21-22.

Warrnambool will host its seaside classic the following weekend.