A step the association has taken to try and make this possible was creating a new self-funded position within its administration.

Rather than have a Basketball WA funded development officer, MBA has raised funds to appoint its own director of basketball.

Mandurah Magic men’s coach Jason Chalk has been selected to fill the new role.

The position will incorporate the former development officer duties but with a wider range.

Chalk said he would focus on developing not only junior and school-based programs but also the elite programs to create a pathway into the State Basketball League.

On top of that Chalk is also responsible for promoting the club, sponsorship and he will continue to coach the senior men’s Magic squad - which he has led for the past three seasons.

He officially starts in a week but has already settled in the MBA office, keen to help promote the club as the “place to be” in the Peel region.

While numbers are still increasing at a healthy rate at grassroots level, Chalk said it was about maintaining numbers at top SBL level.

“I want to ensure people not only get involved in the sport but stay in the sport,” he said.

The Magic men’s team started pre-season training late last month and will be training three days each week - Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays until the squad breaks for Christmas on December 20.

The squad will then resume training on January 4.

Before the opening session Chalk told his squad they needed to reach a certain level in the beep test.

While most of the squad did not reach it immediately Chalk said his side had since reached that level.

“They’re all in pretty good shape,” he said.

Tuesday nights the squad is split into four teams and play game against each other and the two remaining days are spent doing mainly running exercises.

Chalk said pre-season started earlier this year because the SBL have added a pre-season competition that will be held over the long weekend in March.