Hoops

SEABL Future

I like the idea of adopting a 'local content' rule to keep teams closely linked to their zones too and I know some teams have quite a high percentage of their own junior talent come through their SEABL team.

But, how does this work in the case of say a Brisbane based team when there is no other team in QLD? Not quite the same as a team in Geelong or one based in Albury/Wodonga, where it is easier to quantify local talent...?

Like I said, I like the idea, but can see how it would be difficult to justify in the current SEABL structure!

Boti Nagy

Remind me again why the SEABL wants to be run by BA?

Some genuine attempts aimed at the original thread, this is good...

I see the different points of view, keep SEABL and risk it going into a one or two state competition, therby questioning its existence and viability as the country's second tier development league for the NBL.

Or, change it, maybe disband it altogether and leave it to every state to do as they see best for themselves, risking further domination in Victoria perhaps.

Or, take a punt in seeing whether B.A. can improve it, grow it and develop the SEABL into a true second league of semi-professional basketball and a valuable step-up into the NBL, perhaps as the pathway we all crave.

For me, it would be a shame if we gave up on something I think this country needs, SEABL isn't perfect, but at the moment it is crucial IMO.

Leaving each state to do their own thing isn't like the AFL-VFL-SANFL-WAFL etc... situation! We don't have the same structure, nor do we follow the same competition/association formats.

Reducing the semi-professional league of this country to state level would kill it in some states and create super leagues in one or two, is this what would best serve the young players of today and tomorrow?

Is that what would keep little Johnny or Jenny playing beyond youth league.....?

We need a light at the end of this perceived tunnel, not more doom or gloom IMO.

I've been following the Logan Thunder plight and I am now left wondering will BA rescue SEABL teams and Associations after they take over SEABL in December.

Maybe BA did not need to concern themselves with Logan but rather perhaps it may be best to support Brisbane Spartans in their challenges with Qld basketball and the Spartans playing in SEABL

The Launceston Tornadoes following their financial collapse 2 seasons ago were supported by the Northern Basketball Assoc (a mainly junior focused body). This tie may now be broken if their SEABL debt is cleared?

The Hobart Chargers and NW Thunder derive revenue with a 'levy' paid by juniors. The difference being is that their is no direct link between them, other than Regional Rep sides bearing their logo.

Import players are also signed by club teams who contribute to the players salary. While talented locals often play for nought. This was mainly done in the NWBU but Hobart kept most of their imports their this year with local clubs,.

Basketball Tasmania is currently considering bringing SEABL under their structure. In a move that could be financially risky given the small profits made, and potential for large losses.

In all SEABL clubs need to boost their development of lot cal talent. In order to grow a more competive base of home grown players, rather than rely heavily on imports.

What do you mean by passion and rubbish? There is nothing wrong with people having passion about their team/league. If anyone thinks that the NBL is running away in class of player they are just kidding themselves. Yes there is the step up in class as you would expect such as VFL to AFL but it's not that great. As for SEABL and TV the question that should be asked is what has NBL done for TV.

Thanks @Meegan, that kind of supports my theory then, that S.A. and NSW, even QLD could easily enter more teams in a SEABL competition if they really wanted to, wouldn't you say?

The SEABL should be expanded to properly cater for that pathway as a feeder into the NBL and if supported correctly with a clear vision to do so would give the sport an enormous boost in this country IMO...

Thanks Meegan, in stead of teams I should have listed Associations cheers...

Then how is it a state such as Tasmania can afford to provide two teams when they are so much smaller than both NSW and S.A.?

Is it how well they are organised, is it their culture or their system? Does their basketball operate on an Association based system similar to Victoria or are they closer to one of the others?

Maybe it isn't that S.A. can't afford it, until they actually find the leaders within to establish a necessity to actually work on how they can afford it...

The old arguement, 'you can find plenty of reasons for not doing something, but find just one good one to do it and work your arse off to achieve your goal if you want to succeed...'

Maybe well regulated gambling is an option!

From the SEABL web site, here is a list of the current teams in the competition.

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

9 of the 16 are Victorian based, with 1 on the border of NSW and anohter on the S.A. border, then two teams from TAS and one each from QLD and the ACT.

So, where do we see the future of SEABL growing or the benefit of change coming from?

My question to the powers in charge would be to consider whether or not they want the SEABL to move to a broader Australian competition or remain very much based in the South and East?

Even is we stay as we are, in proximity, couldn't there be more of a focus on increasing the volume of teams from S.A, QLD and NSW perhaps?

Then progressively look at W.A. once those teams are established and form a wider league that is more inclusive, rather than exclusive, to foster Association interest from a broader base...

Restructing conferences and schedules to support the introduction of new teams would inject excitement into an already strong league IMO!

@Murray, I am basing my point partly on your comment here...

'The biggest discontent stems from the failure of BA/SEABL Board to provide adequate and timely financial information to members so that due diligence by member clubs can be conducted before a vote is taken'.

I agree, there needs to be transperancy and integrity between the stakeholders, if anything is going to be worked out properly or for the best interests of the game.

Leadership is the key component that looks to be missing here, if your comment above is based on some facts.

The threads and posts we are relying on here (some backed up by online articles from a diverse range of factual or in some cases slightly more fictitious opinion pieces), suggest there are obviously changes afoot in the Basketball landscape here in Aus...

What is unclear is who is leading the changes and what the big picture is!

So many complications, leagues, states, bodies, boards, personalities, business people, corporates and so called 'basketball people', yet the one thing needed to actually make the diffeence which made the difference in successful leagues before us is missing IMO...

A leader!

Whether we discuss SEABL, the NBL, BigV, QBL etc... is kind of lost without a visionary and someone to actually take control and get every one else thinking about the same pathway.

Examples:
Soccer - Lowe
Football - Dimitriou
Rugby - 'What's his name'....

Regardless, I am making a point here, which is that we appear splintered and that isn't going to work well for the future of the game I don't think??

I am usually a firm believer in the 'if it aint broke, don't fix it' theory.

Having said that, I am also of the opinion that if improvements can be made they should be considered, explored and implemented with due diligence and common sense, taking the least risk for potentially the best possible outcome.

There needs to be some more detail and dialogue on this before I can make up my mind about whether or not it is a good thing for SEABL to change their governance, however it shouldn't adversely affect the product either way as it is a good one and we need it to continue to be a strong league...

U16 nationals get under way today.

SA Metro boys playing live rightnow: http://linky.com.au/ncs9l