Two-time WNBL championship winner Kate Gaze says the Canberra Capitals' senior players must stand tall and shoulder the workload required to rebuild the club.
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The Capitals start on their road to basketball redemption when they begin their season against the Dandenong Rangers at the Southern Cross Club on Saturday.
The Capitals are ushering in a new-look team with coach Paul Goriss taking charge for the first time, Gaze to call the shots and Marianna Tolo returning after a stint in Europe.
The club will take the first tentative steps without Lauren Jackson, Jess Bibby and Carrie Graf when they play against Dandenong.
Gaze, a former AIS star who won titles with the Townsville Fire, said experienced players needed to take responsibility for guiding the team.
"The huge challenge for us this season will be how fast can we get on the same page and gel," Gaze said.
"The older girls need to lead the girls and get everyone up to speed. It's a challenge but it's an exciting one.
"I learnt so much from my two championships in Townsville, Tolo has been to the Olympics and [Carly Wilson] has been a leader for so long, we're going to really need to draw on all of that.
"Especially in tight games when some of the other young girls haven't been in those situations before."
The Capitals will play all of their games in Tuggeranong this year after shifting back to their south Canberra base and delaying a move to the National Convention Centre.
The club will make a permanent move to the National Convention Centre for the 2017-18 season when court and seating configuration is finalised.
Goriss is regarded as one of the best development coaches in Australia and has been given the task of lifting the Capitals after four years in the finals wilderness.
Canberra's American import, Jazmon Gwathmey, arrived in the capital less than a week ago and there are just three players left from the Capitals' 2015-16 squad.
"It has been a bit of a disjointed pre-season," Gaze said.
"I definitely feel motivated because the Capitals have such a history behind them. Growing up in basketball, you always looked up to the Canberra Capitals and the great players they had.
"It's exciting that maybe we can change it back to that for Canberra. It was such an exciting time when they were at the top so hopefully we can do that as well."
WNBL ROUND ONE
Saturday: Canberra Capitals v Dandenong Rangers at Southern Cross Club, Tuggeranong, 3pm.
