Metcalfe, who ranks as the eighth all-time highest scorer in the WNBL, has joined her home-town club as a playing assistant coach and is looking forward to helping Venom make an impact in 2007 and beyond.

A former MVP and All-Star Five award winner in the WNBL, and an Australian representative, Metcalfe brings experience that money can't buy and is sure to play an integral role in the ongoing development of Venom's junior players.

The club has also confirmed their senior coaching staff for the season with 2004 Big V Division One Women's Coach of the Year, Justin Nelson, taking the reigns along with former Sandringham and Monash women's coach David Reinecke.

Venom's assistant coaches include Jo Metcalfe, along with fitness and conditioning coach Steve Metcalfe, and Hawthorn's 2006 assistant coach Nicole Howard.

Nelson says an 18-player senior squad will be announced next week, with a number of experienced senior players, including Metcalfe, set to lead the Venom in its inaugural year.

"It's amazing how many people in the basketball fraternity want to know who is playing for us, but that's natural given that we are the new kids on the block, and all will be revealed soon enough," said Nelson.

"We have recruited strongly and gained a number of experienced players, but best of all the squad is made up of 16 players living in and around the Warrandyte region.

"Many of the girls also coach within our junior representative and domestic programs, which helps to build a pathway for the kids in Warrandyte."

The Venom squad has been training since early November last year in a move Nelson hopes will pay big dividends as the season progresses towards the playoffs in August.

"Jo (Metcalfe) has been fantastic during the pre-season, particularly with our younger players, as has Steve (Metcalfe) with his implementation of a training program that is second to none."

Nelson also confirmed the inclusion of All-American guard Maree Vincent and former England University representative Jodi Kennedy, who has been named captain, but he remains tight-lipped on the remainder of the squad.

"All will be revealed next week," said Nelson, adding, "We are really pleased to have a number of younger home-grown players who will represent Warrandyte as senior players in 2007, but yes there are also well-known senior players on the list.

"I have no doubt the league will be very happy that Warrandyte is looking after local players and growing the sport in its own backyard. This is not a one-year project. We want a men's team in the future and we want to be respected for our competitiveness."

The club has arranged three practice matches in February, all at Warrandyte Sports Complex. The first is against Keilor or Sunday February 11 at 3pm, followed by a showdown with Coburg on Sunday February 18 at 3pm.

A third game is scheduled for Sunday February 25, however the opponent is yet to be finalised. After that Venom will play in the Big V pre-season tournament across the Labour-Day weekend in March, prior to the season starting on March 24.