Basketball On The Internet.

THE Gold Coast's audacious bid for an NBL licence in 2024 is sure to attract the naysayers pointing to past failed sports franchises in the area, including our own Cougars/Rollers and Blaze. But if even the Mayor is pointing to substantial junior participation and growth, the NBL will listen. 

Yes, it has taken the Gold Coast Suns a while to secure local support but it has started happening. And Queensland is not an AFL state.

But let's not pretend the AFL didn't notice what the development of the Tasmania JackJumpers did for basketball in the island state. It significantly has hastened the discussion on a 19th AFL team in Tassie.

So should basketball take a leaf out of footy's book this time?

Definitely exploring the options should be encouraged. A 12-team league makes sense as the ultimate workable goal but where from?

Frankly, a second New Zealand franchise, maybe in Christchurch on South Island, would make sense and allow the trip across the Tasman to be the new era's "Doomsday Double" with the Breakers in Auckland.

Newcastle has historic relevance, as does Canberra and also Townsville. The latter cities both currently have WNBL clubs holding their own too. Could they again additionally support an NBL club?

Guessing that by the manner in which current league ownership saw off Townsville, it probably is not in any immediate equation. And Cairns does give the region an NBL presence.

What does Darwin have to offer? And to what extent would the Northern Territory government want to be involved?

The NBL Blitz in Darwin next month gives fans a chance to vote with their feet. But a couple of previous pre-season tournaments in the Top End didn't exactly set the world on fire in terms of local patronage.

Which sorta brings us back to Gold Coast, Canberra and Newcastle. Which has the facilities? The infrastructure? The sustainability?

First, South East Melbourne Phoenix showed how quickly a basketball club in the NBL can establish itself.

Then last season, the JackJumpers set the bar even higher. The time is right. Getting the team right though is much more important.