The Lady Bandits committee, following a meeting with the players on Tuesday, met Sinclair last night and accepted his resignation, effective immediately.

It is believed the playing group told the committee they would not play if Sinclair continued as head coach, despite the team's winning start to the season.

Sinclair said last night he was deeply disappointed but had no option but to quit.

"I didn't see any way forward from here," he said.

"Apparently the playing group told the committee they didn't have any faith in me and for me, that says it's time to call it quits. If the committee is taking the time to meet with the players, then I don't see any way forward after that.

"If they had told the players to pull their heads in, then that's OK."

Sinclair felt the committee had basically "been held to ransom".

"The message was that players intended not to play and I don't think that's an ideal situation to be in," he said.

"I don't wish the club to go backwards so I don't see any alternative."

The former coach admitted to feeling betrayed by his players, who went to the committee rather than air any grievances with him.

"I'm disappointed in them because they didn't come to me with their problems," he said.
"They didn't make me aware of any problems playing on their minds as a group.

"I hope they can go forward from this and I hope they can keep winning."

Border Basketball Club president Rob McDonald said Sinclair's resignation was accepted with great reluctance but believed the decision was the best for all parties.

"This has been a very hard decision to make, we admire the efforts Scott has made but for the future of the team, the club and the playing personnel, it was probably the best decision the club could make," he said.

McDonald said the playing group had met with the committee and raised several concerns.

"We have an obligation to put a team on the court and to be able to field a team," he said.

"The situation arose where we had to take that into consideration, to make sure we were able to meet our obligations to compete within the SEABL.

"This decision was made after a meeting with the players and a unanimous vote from all playing personnel."

But McDonald denied the playing group had undue influence on the running of the team.

"No, the players do not run the club," he said.

"It's not a matter of the players not being happy, it was more to do with the way the team was coached and the direction being given as to where the team was going.

"We have a lot of junior players who need time to be developed and to have their potential realised."

McDonald admitted the timing of Sinclair's resignation was less than perfect.

"We are not happy about this, it is not an ideal situation," he said.

"There will be comparisons made to last year and I don't think anyone could be happy with the playing group for doing this but we have a responsibility to listen to the playing group and understand how they want to contribute to the club's success.

"The players came to us as a group, we listened and gave Scott his right of reply.

"Scott then indicated his wish to tender his resignation."

A search for a replacement has already started, with assistant coaches Jessica Bibby and Amanda Donnoli expected to take the reins against Nunawading on Saturday night at the Albury Sports Stadium.