If all goes to plan the Tornadoes will have two sides playing in the league - men's and under 20 women.

Association president Steve Atkins says the game is currently enjoying a resurgence here and this will help to drive Taree's State League bid.

Last year Taree employed American Lonnie Funderburke in a coaching/development role and to push the State League campaign. It was initially hoped the Tornadoes would be in a position to play in the State League this year.

"We started getting the word out and holding scrimmages on Monday night to gauge the interest,'' Mr Atkins said.

"But it was soon obvious that we wouldn't be ready for the State League this year.''

So now he says a program will be put into place with the aim of having the resources to play State League in two years.

The association has also started dialogue with Gloucester and Forster to expand its base. Funderburke, a 203cm power forward, is now playing with the Newcastle Hunters in the Waratah League, as well as working with Taree Basketball.

Taree's winter competitions for senior grades started this week. For the first time the association will use courts at Chatham High as well its headquarters at Saxby's Stadium because of the number of teams. There's some history here.

When basketball made a comeback in Taree in 1975 its base was at Chatham High - although the concrete outdoor courts were far removed from the current facilities.

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There are now 12 men's sides in two grades with 11 in the women, and there are hopes more teams will enter. There are only two courts at the stadium so that's why Chatham High has again come into play.

"We don't want to schedule matches too late at night during winter,'' Mr Atkins explained.

After booming in Australia during the 1980s, basketball waned in the 1990s and the game's path in Taree mirrored this decline, to a point where the Taree stadium was hired out to other sports just to pay the bills.

However, basketball is again on the upward spiral. Mr Atkins pointed out that there was a 50 per cent growth in membership in Taree last year, and he predicted these numbers would again rise in 2019.

Taree's junior numbers continue to swell and Mr Atkins is confident this will further improve when Funderburke and fellow American, Elliott Bruton, start extensive coaching programs in schools this term.

Mr Atkins says the association will continue to seek funding with the goal of redeveloping the stadium into a four-court facility, capable of hosting sporting and community events.