In the two months since the Spirit went into volunteer administration the club’s financial membership has increased five- fold compared to the same period last year.

The Bendigo Advertiser understands some prominent Bendigo basketball identities have rallied support in a bid to vote in a new-look board at the AGM on February 20.

A number of high-profile Bendigo businessmen are among the membership group, but are yet to indicate if they will stand for the board.

Five of the Spirit’s eight-person board are up for re-election at the AGM.

Spirit chairman Jeremi Moule, who is not up for re-election, said the influx of members was a good sign for the Spirit.

“Personally, what I’m hoping is that the scenario we’re in has attracted more people to the board,’’ Moule said.

“We have eight people on the board at the moment, but we have the capacity to have 12.

“Hopefully, any new people will bring new passion and with that comes more opportunity for the club.”

The club announced in December that it had a shortfall of more than $50,000 and as a result was forced to cut off-court ties with then general manager Kristi Harrower.

Moule said the Spirit’s financial position has improved in the past two months, but the club was not out of the woods yet.

“We’re still in quite a serious position and we will have a deficit, but we have stableised our costs,’’ Moule said.

“We’re trying to get ourselves into a position where we can confidently say we can trade into next season.

“We’re getting close to that position, but we still have a lot of work to do.”