Larkins’ three-year contract was due to expire at the end of 2008, but the dual championship coach was offered a further two-year deal by the Bendigo Basketball Association and Bendigo Stadium Limited on Thursday night.

The new agreement means Larkins will have coached the Braves for eight years come the end of the 2010 season.

‘‘I’m really thankful to the BBA and BSL for offering me the new contract,’’ Larkins said yesterday.

‘‘Opportunities have come up for me in the past, but I’ve stayed loyal to the club and I’m glad the club has shown the same sort of commitment to me.

‘‘My wife and children love it here in Bendigo, so I’m very happy to be coaching the Braves for an extra two years.’’ After a shaky start to his coaching career with the Braves in 2002, Larkins went on to lead the Braves to the South East Australian Basketball League south conference championship in 2005 and this year. The club also won the Australian Basketball Association national championship in 2005.

‘‘With the club losing Jason Cameron, Ben Harvey and Sam Fotu to retirement, we think it was important for the stability of the club that we secured Wayne’s future,’’ BSL chief executive Mick Kelly said.

‘‘The club has good local talent coming through the junior ranks and Wayne can focus on bringing on that talent.

‘‘Warren Randall, Taylor Bell and Kevin Probert have come through the juniors to the Braves program and we need to build on from those players.’’ Larkins said he is looking forward to the next chapter of his coaching career with the Braves.

‘‘We’ll have a new-look team next year, but I think we’re heading in the right direction,’’ Larkins said.

‘‘We’ve had a strong three to four years, but we want to keep improving. Our first aim is always to make the play-offs and we’ll look at it again from there.’’ The SEABL fixture is expected to be released next week with the season to start on the first weekend in March.