Captain Lauren Mansfield and SEABL leading rebounder Mikaela Ruef have both headed to the nation’s capital to join the Canberra Capitals for the 2016-17 season. 

This is a new team for both players and they said they were looking forward to building on the on-court chemistry they have developed with the Tornadoes for the past two seasons.

Tasmanian Tayla Roberts has signed with the Adelaide Lightning as she returns to the WNBL looking to continue the positive steps she took during a breakout SEABL season in which she averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Tornadoes’ season MVP Ally Wilson is headed back to the Sydney Uni Flames where she played last year and averaged eight points in just under 20 minutes per game.

Head coach Reece Potter joins Mansfield and Ruef at the Canberra Capitals where he will work as assistant coach before returning to the Tornadoes for his third season next year.

The club said its local players don’t take any time off either with most of them playing in Basketball Tasmania’s statewide women’s competition.

Torns chairwoman Janie Finlay said next year’s playing list cannot be finalised until early 2017 as there are SEABL restrictions placed on the number of “categorised players” for each team. Players are classified is A, B and C category by Basketball Australia based on their amount of WNBL game-time.

“Unfortunately it’s a waiting game for us right now as we watch the times each player plays in the WNBL over the summer very closely,” Finlay said.

“We would love to have all four import players back again next year but that will depend on the minutes they play and what level they are classified at. They have all said they would like to return to the Tornadoes next season which is great news for us.”

The coaching panel will also conduct trials for local players early in 2017.

Just three weeks after their season finished, Finlay said planning is well underway for next year.

“While it was really disappointing for the team to lose in the conference final by four points, the club cannot be anything but proud of what the team achieved on the court this year. We want to take all the positives from this year and continue to improve,” she said.

“The board is determined to develop long-term success for the Tornadoes Basketball Club both on and off the court.

“Our sponsors are really keen to commit again to next year so that means we can start our planning with a real positive outlook and some financial security.”