Hoops

SEABL to be renamed before 2014 season

^Comparing the structure of SEABL with the AFL ? LOL ...

To the anon many posts ago "nothing is stopping NSW, QLD etc teams from entering SEABL".

Well, if they are not entering, something is stopping them - QED.

A competition that is predominantly Victorian associations is not a national comp, no matter how much you guild the lily.

My entry for the competition name, whatever it is:

Southern Cross Basketball League

(c) me, even if I forget to send to the email address, in this thread for the record.

^The problem is that regardless of where the team is based, SEABL teams need to "import" (either locally or overseas) to be competitive.

The challenge for the "new SEABL" is for there to be a level playing field where all teams (including new teams) have reasonably equal access to players and dollars.

Otherwise the existing Vic power clubs are going to dominate. That seems to be the big challenge yet to really be addressed.

If Tassie can maintain two reasonably competative teams in SEABL surely there must be a number of ABA level teams in Adelaide and NSW that could manage it without too much difficulty?

Isaac makes a good point regarding the SEABL adopting the name 'NBL', and the current NBL adopting another name.

A second NZ franchise seems somewhat inevitable in the medium-term assuming the entire league doesn't dissolve - it's a possibility whether we choose to actively acknowledge it or not.

THEN it would appear prudent to change the name of the current NBL, maybe to the 'Australasia League' or 'Oceania League'? Maybe Basketball Australia should be proactive about this, rather than reactive.

Though I'm not sure how keen BA would be on changing the name of the current NBL, particularly after the branding stints recently undertaken e.g. broadcasting contracts with Ten. While not a huge one, I would think the naming rights for 'NBL' is an asset.

I started well ...

I got as far as Winter Australian National ... then I couldn't think of anything starting with K.

@TW careful man, someone might steal your fabulous ideas and you will miss out on the 200 smackers ! Err, sorry, prize pack to the value of $200.

^Well we were both half right ... LOL ...

I agree, the closer you look at the structure of SEABL the stranger it looks ... seems to be all for the benefit of the core Vic "power associations" ...

I thought the whole point of the UPL was to level the playing field and make the new competition more inclusive and more affordable to a broader range of associations.

If it's all been watered down to "rename SEABL" that would not be progressive at all ... if a stepping stone, ok, but is starting to sound like it's all become too hard.

^Point taken - I was thinking of Sydney ... although as it's Albury Wodonga we could say half Victoria/half NSW ...

But 10 Vic teams, two from Tas, one country team from SA, one called Brisbane and one called Canberra ...

Hardly a true national competition with even representation ... and Brisbane and Canberra not even association based.

The whole idea of the UPL was that is was supposed to be a national competition for associations.

Has that gone out the window ?

@Isaac current team list from SEABL Web site ...

Albury Wodonga
Ballarat
Bendigo
Canberra
Brisbane
Dandenong
Frankston
Geelong
Hobart
Kilsyth
Knox
Launceston
Mt Gambier
Nunawading
NW Tasmania
Sandringham

Most westerly is Mt Gambier ...

Most northerly is Brisbane - but nothing in NSW ...

Could almost be called the Vic-Tas League.

But I had the impression half the difficulty in finalising a new competition was to broaden the representation, especially into Qld, NSW and SA ... but has been problematic to find additional associations wanting to be included and able to afford to be included.

Perhaps the plan has just defaulted to "rename SEABL" and take it from there ? Not sure ... anyone else shed some light ?

Ummm, ok nice idea but all they can come up with is a $200 prize pack ....

Is it just me or is that being pretty cheap ?