Tweedy to pilot Rockets

NEW CHALLENGES: Long-serving Rockhampton Stadium Nightclub Rockets coach Neal Tweedy is for an 11th season in charge.

BASKETBALL: Neal Tweedy yesterday strapped himself in for his 11th season in charge of the Rockhampton Stadium Nightclub Rockets and is excited by the new challenge of heading into the great unknown.

Rockhampton Basketball Incorporated yesterday announced Tweedy would again lead the Rockets in next year's QABL.

After piloting the team to state and national championship glory this year, Tweedy faces arguably his biggest challenge when he takes charge of a new-look Rockets outfit in 2009.

Captain Darren Richardson and former NBL star Ben Thompson have retired while team stalwart Paul Scott is expected to hang up his singlet.

Tweedy admitted there were some big holes left in the program but he was looking forward to going from the hunter to the hunted next season.

I think we've got a few challenges ahead but I think if we recruit well there's no reason why we can't be back defending titles, Tweedy said.

"We've gone from the hunter to the hunted so I guess everyone will be out to knock off the national champions.

"I am genuinely excited by the challenges that lie ahead for our organisation.

"We will be rebuilding the team to a certain extent and we will present many opportunities to our younger guys in the months ahead while also ensuring that we identify and recruit the right people to assist us in providing our fans, sponsors and corporate partners with a quality outfit that does the city of Rockhampton proud again."

Point guard Rhys Martin is at the top of Tweedy's shopping list while a new ruling, expected to be endorsed this week, will allow teams to have three restricted players next season.

"Point guards are hard to find good quality ones," he said.

The Rockets will launch their drive for new talent with an open trial at Hegvold Stadium before Christmas.

RBI operations manager Jamie Boon said yesterday the appointment of Tweedy was paramount to the team's state and national title defence.

"With 10 seasons under his belt, numerous finals appearances and several welcome additions to the clubroom's trophy cabinet, Neal was without question the most appropriate person for our club," Boon said.

"With step one out of the way, the club will now move onto the playing roster with negotiations already under way with several players."

Tweedy will finalise his coaching staff by the end of the week, with retired captain Richardson expected to be in the mix.