‘Genuine history here’: Why a return to the NBL stage could be on the cards for this Gold Coast franchise
A stunning return to the National Basketball League could be on the cards for Gold Coast if the Rollers can secure a stadium in one of the city’s major sporting precincts. Read the full story:
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A stunning return to the National Basketball League could be on the cards for Gold Coast if the Rollers can secure a stadium in one of the city’s major sporting precincts.
The Gold Coast Basketball Association, who play under the name of the Rollers, are in a race against fellow NBL1 North clubs including the Darwin Salties to earn a golden ticket into the competition nearly three decades on from collapse.
Already in discussions with council to buy the Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium used for both junior and senior representative teams, GCBA General Manager Joel McInnes is confident the move will put Rollers on top of the picking order.
“(We’re) getting our ducks in a line.
“I’ve met with consultants and the first step is to do a feasibility study... see how it looks financially,” McInnes said.
GCBA are one of several consortiums fighting to secure the NBL licence on offer to a Gold Coast team and officials hope the acquisition of the stadium would give it a major advantage over rivals.
“Council is still talking to the NBL about a potential franchise coming back to the coast,” he said.
In their inaugural season of 1990-91, the Rollers played under the banner of Gold Coast Cougars before undergoing a name change.
They failed to secure a title or appear in any finals series, and in 1996, the club dissolved.
“I do think the appetite of the Gold Coast sporting community has been waiting so long for a major sporting team to break through and have a truly successful season.”
“In terms of an emerging city and population growth, Gold Coast is definitely well positioned.
“Being on the Eastern Seaboard, travel times and the rest of it is ideal,” he said.
“We’ve already got a good profile as a strong basketball city and the ideal lifestyle here.
“It’s helped bring good players here in the past.
“It’ll just come down to money.”
Upgrades would be needed, including the increase in seating from around 3000 to 10,000-15,000, but it would allow GCBA to generate more revenue while cutting current costs associated with hiring the facility.
“Once we get management rights, (we) would look towards upgrading existing facilities... be it courts, a new roof or whatever maintenance is required so that it’s up to standard,” McInnes said.
“If we were to get the old Carrara Stadium, which is probably the one thing we’re going to go after, the floors need to be replaced.”
It is believed the Northern Gold Coast Seahawks have expressed a similar desire which would guarantee accessibility throughout the season for trainings, camps and competition.
“They’re looking at potential ways to gain management rights of council facilities that have been run at a loss for a significant time now.
“The usage rate particularly at peak hour is pretty much loaded as is and that’s why we’re looking for other venues,” McInnes said.
McInnes admits the Rollers’ NBL record isn’t filled with silverware, citing criticism of the Titans (NRL) and Suns (AFL) lack of success.
“I do think there’s some genuine history here on the Gold Coast with NBL teams.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a great history and that might work against it.
“Anytime there’s a post about it, everyone lines up and says well look at the Titans and Suns,” he said.
Though if a licence were to be granted, fans would flock in support.
“If a team were to break through, the whole of Gold Coast would absolutely rise up and embrace it.
“We’re hoping that’s sooner rather than later.”
The Darwin Salties, an opposition to Gold Coast in the NBL1 North competition and currently second on the men’s ladder with four rounds to play, are a close contender as the next licence holder.
“Darwin is an interesting one because they’re throwing money at their NBL1 program... spending about three or four times anyone else and getting Government grants to do that.
“The same would be the case if they were trying to get an NBL team,” McInnes said.
“There’d be a lot of financial support for it.”
But unlike the Northern Territory-based club, Rollers have an advantage up their sleeve, with Gold Coast a likely host city for the NBL preseason Blitz following near sell-out crowds in 2023.
The NBL are in search of potential venues, with Carrara and Broadbeach flagged as favourites three months out.
Basketball booming in southeast
It comes at the same time as the Brisbane Bullets’ announcement they would be returning to the Brisbane Exhibition Centre for NBL25 and beyond, citing crowd capacity and growth in recent seasons.
“Taking our home games to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre is an important next step in what is projected to be a significant growth period for the Club,” Brisbane Bullets CEO Malcolm Watts said.
“Basketball is booming in South East Queensland and this move is a key factor in ensuring we can continue to make our game day experience bigger and better for our members, fans and corporate partners.
“It enables us to elevate all aspects of the game presentation and provide an increase in seating, premium hospitality, parking and improved accessibility via public transport option.”
NBL CEO David Stevenson said the NBL had never been in a stronger position.
“Brisbane has such a passionate fan base and a long and proud history in the NBL.
“The Bullets move to a larger capacity venue, provides a great opportunity for continued fan growth not only for the Club but also the League as a whole.”
Was Gold Coast snubbed by the State Budget?
In all the excitement, McInnes pointed to one considerable issue: how sport on the Gold Coast missed out entirely on this year’s State Budget.
Not a single cent has been put towards developing the region’s grassroot participation.
“The way I’d frame it is, with the amount of money the Government has made... it would have been good to see some facilities down here on the Gold Coast to help alleviate the issues we have in regards to finding indoor stadiums for indoor sports,” McInnes said.
“The overarching thing for me, is that the State Government has spent a lot of money on this budget in regards to improving cost of living and the health sector.
“Sport is a crucial part of that connection and there doesn’t seem to be as significant an investment comparatively as to what they’ve thrown at health and transport and the like.
“The Gold Coast looks to have missed out on any major facilities which is not good for future planning.
“I do feel like they haven’t really focussed on that as much as they should have.”
McInnes believes the region has failed to capitalise on available funding, and basketball would not be the only sport to suffer as a result.
“All indoor sports would be disappointed that we haven’t seen any major facilities funded through this State Budget.”
It isn’t just facilities that need a cash splash.
The cost to plan, run and promote school competitions and wheelchair basketball tournaments is just as demanding, with McInnes highlighting the desperate need for more adequate transport means.
“We need vehicles.
“For going out, delivering school programs, delivering wheelchair programs... things of those nature,” he said
“Some of our athletes represent Queensland and we need to supply them with a trailer to take the chairs with them.
“We’re always looking for grants towards that.”
GCBA facilitate wheelchair basketball competitions twice a week on top of school visitations, where students are given the opportunity to partake in the hopes of breaking down barriers between able-bodied and para athletes.
Upward of $15,000 per chair, there’s no question the sport is constantly in need of financial support.
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