Nathan Jawai rejoins the Darwin Salties NBL1 club
A Top End basketball coach said it would be a ‘no-brainer’ to bring the NBL to the Territory, but there were ‘a lot of things’ that needed to happen before then.
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Linking a national sporting competition to the NT would be a “no-brainer”, a Top End basketball coach has said.
Salties men’s coach Matt Flinn said the ongoing push to bring the NBL to the Territory was “just a natural progression for basketball”.
“I think Territorians love their sport, and they’re really passionate about sport,” he said.
“It’s also about a linear pathway for kids – I walk around here all the time, and I see there is so much talent in the Territory and the Salties have now connected the pathway for kids to go through to semi-professional and then ultimately professional.
“I think it’s inevitable.”
Mr Flinn said “a lot of things” still needed to happen to get the Territory across the line and into the NBL.
“But I really feel like it’s something that will eventually grow.”
It comes as Nathan Jawai resigned for another year with the Salties’ NBL1 club.
Jawai has been involved in local community work and played Darwin Championship Season basketball with the Ellas Titans – coached by fellow Saltie Erin Bollmann – since Darwin’s inaugural NBL1 North season wrapped up last year.
The 36-year-old said there was some “unfinished business” after the Salties were beaten by USC Rip City 89-86 in a quarter final last August.
“I think we had a good core group last year,” Jawai said.
“I think we’re going to be even better with the line-up we have.”
He said he was feeling “rejuvenated”, after battling a calf injury in 2022 which sidelined him for a number of games.
“That was hard to come back from,” he said.
“I’ve got to watch my body, I’m not that young anymore.
“I don’t want to push too hard too soon.”
However, Jawai said he couldn’t wait to take to the floor with the Salties, with the season starting against Southern Districts Spartans at Marrara on March 25.
“I can’t wait for the Salties to start to be honest with you,” he said.
“I’m excited.”
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said she was excited to be the Salties’ inaugural number one ticket holder.
“I think they are a fantastic club, and really symbolise what it means to be Territory proud,” she said.
The NBL1 season kicks off on March 25.
The Salties men and women are set to play nine home games in their second season in the North division.
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