2022 was a case of ‘so close yet so far’ for Rumbalara.
Finally breaking through and making it to that fabled last day in September, the Rumba girls were overawed by a perfect Deniliquin Rams squad.
While most clubs would be gearing up for another tilt at the crown, Rumbalara appears to be taking a different approach, with a new-look side set to take the court in 2023.
Jess Bamblett remains at the helm for another season, but the side around her will be one filled with exciting youth.
Youngsters Nakiah Bamblett and Yilanii Atkinson appear poised to take up more prominent positions after getting valuable A-grade bench experience last season.
Meanwhile Tiarna Steele makes the move from Moama to give the side some much-needed experience.
But with their core group of Melbourne-based players not returning, Bamblett admitted 2023 would be unlikely to yield the same success as the year prior.
“Last year we were just happy to make it all the way to the grand final,” Bamblett said.
“So this year it is a whole different mindset, I am going about developing the young girls we have and thinking about the future.
“It is going to be a much younger team on the court that’s for sure, and with that our game style is going to change as we focus more on development.
“Hopefully we will still be competitive and I’m confident we are still a finals team, but this will be more a rebuilding year for us than previous seasons.”