GLENN Clarke is a three-time Women's SBL championship winning coach and is enjoying his first year at the helm of the Bethanie Stirling Senators who he backs to make the playoffs but knows being the first team to lose to the South West Slammers could still hurt.

The Slammers won their opening game of the season back in Week 12 by defeating the Senators at Eaton Recreation Centre by four points, and Clarke knows that loss could still come back to haunt his team but he does still back them to make the playoffs in his first season.

Clarke coached the Willetton Tigers to championships in 2009, 2010 and 2011 before needing a break from being head coach. Some time away saw his passion reignite and he is enjoying being back in charge of his own team at the Senators.

Success is something Clarke is used to being at the helm of and despite the Senators sitting in 10th spot at present at 5-11, he is backing them to sneak into the top eight come playoff time.

Stirling's run to end the season features two games against the East Perth Eagles along with clashes against the Perry Lakes Hawks, Cockburn Cougars, Rockingham Flames and Mandurah Magic.

"If it wasn’t for that Bunbury loss, which was unfortunate, the road home is good for us and that's what we want. If a couple of things go our way, then I would like to have a playoff game here at home," Clarke said.

"We couldn’t afford to drop the game to Bunbury but there's still hope. We just have to be really smart about how we do things and a bit more consistent with our offence and defence.

"They are a good bunch of girls and they play with a lot of heart and soul. It's a good club and I'm enjoying coaching them so it has been good."

The Senators have done well this season against teams close around them or below aside from the loss to the Slammers. They have beaten the Lightning, Cougars, Redbacks, Eastern Suns and Slammers with Lakeside, Cockburn, Perth and Kalamunda in the playoff fight with them.

It has been against the top three teams they have struggled with losses to the Joondalup Wolves by 24 and 18 points, the Tigers by 50 and 35, and the Flames by 20.

Those clashes with the Tigers were certainly interesting for Clarke up against his old team and good friend Simon Parker, but he feels the Senators are better equipped now to battle the top teams.

"Those top teams will give you a lot of hurt if you get those three or four turnovers to let them get the momentum. But when the chips are down they will be alright," he said.

"Good old Simon Parker. I rang him up one day and asked him how to scout them, so that's kind of the relationship we have. He is having a good year but anything can happen.

"When we played them here last time I think we were only four down at half-time. They can play but it's just that whole four quarters we need against the better teams."

There are plenty of encouraging signs at the Senators this season. They might not have a superstar like a Klara Wischer, Louella Tomlinson, Sami Whitcomb, Deanna Smith or Candace Williams like teams in the top eight, but Clarke is proud to have some real warriors.

Amber Land has continued to lead the way all season with strong support from Kara van Dyke, Lyndal Gardner, Fiona Madden and Chelsea Armstrong with 16-year-old Brianna Fisher, 22-year-old Taylor Bestry and 21-year-old Hannah Throns benefiting from the experience provided by playing.

"She (Land) is just a trooper in the trenches and goes after everything. Kara is good as well and every one of the players will never give up. We might be down by 12 or 14 and I know that in previous games that we are still a chance so that's always good," Clarke said.

"Tegan (Walker) will come back in three or four weeks I think but we want to make sure that she's ready to go because she is still an integral part of the team. That's not just from a playing perspective but a leadership and mentoring way as well which she's exceptional with.

"Our D-League now is playing really well and they are regularly beating teams by 20. It's good they are getting confidence and now we have to get them up to that SBL confidence, which is another level up."

Clarke is enjoying being back involved as a head coach in the Women's SBL and no matter what happens the rest of the season he is looking to be on board again in 2017.

"You need to get away sometimes and just reset the heart valve. That makes you want to go back and want to do it again. After those three championships it draws a lot out of you so it was good to sit back and watch everyone, and get the itch back. I'm enjoying it," Clarke said.

"It's been pretty good actually getting back involved. It's good to get back into and it's good to try to build some sort of legacy that we can keep running.

"The club and I are going to talk shortly and I'm keen to hang around for another year for sure. There's a lot of unfinished business that needs to be done."

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Deprimo Photography