Former women's coach Lisa Townsend now has the responsibility of fostering the club's young talent after taking on the role of women's Youth League coach for next season.

Townsend was last involved with the Bandits in 2011 and was assistant coach to Kennedy Kereama in 2006.

She's spent the last 18 months coaching in Mildura and has previously coached youth men in Sunbury.

She admitted it's an exciting time for the Bandits, who look to develop the region's young basketballers into future NBL1 players.

"It's about the kids coming through and putting them on the right pathway," Townsend said.

"Working the NBL1 program with the youth program, it gives athletes an opportunity to see what that next level looks like, as well as giving them an opportunity to work on their game and individually.

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"Working with Matt (Paps) will be good to have that connection to the women's program.

"It's a new fresh start with one program working together to achieve a common goal."

Bandits' president Luke Smith said the club was rapt to have Townsend on board.

"We couldn't be happier in the second year to have someone of her calibre coaching the youth girls," he said.

"It's going to be really beneficial for their development."

The Youth League sides made their debut in the Waratah League but were set for the Big V competition this year before the COVID-19 pandemic derailed the season.

The Youth League will be having an open training session on December 10, where Townsend will meet the up-and-coming players.

The Bandits men's squad have split into two sides to play weekend games at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre, with star women's player Emma Mahady also joining them.