Southside Flyers owner Gerry Ryan slams WNBL over embarrassing fixture double booking

When the WNBL released its fixture, something wasn’t quite right. Here’s how an ‘embarrassing’ double booking confused three clubs across two leagues and left one owner seething.

Southside owner Gerry Ryan has launched a scathing attack on the WNBL after an embarrassing fixture bungle left the club scrambling to find a new venue.

In July last year, when the 2023-24 schedule was released, the Flyers were drawn against Bendigo in this Wednesday’s round 12 clash at 7pm at their State Basketball Centre home.

But the NBL, which had released its schedule prior to the WNBL, had already locked in South East Melbourne’s clash with Adelaide — on the same night (7.30pm) at the same venue.

It’s an embarrassing blunder for the league, one source said, given its own offices are located within the Wantirna South facility.

Ryan, who is among a group of club owners who has become increasingly frustrated with the direction and operations of the country’s oldest professional women’s sporting league, was also seething over a decision to shift the Flyers’ December 20 clash in Perth to two days before Christmas — to allow the Lynx home court to be resurfaced.

The Flyers have been hit with multiple fixture issues. Picture: Getty Images

“This fixturing issue and the problems faced with the change to the fixture for our game in Perth prior to Christmas are examples of how inflexible the WNBL is,” Ryan said.

“Basketball Australia and the WNBL have no understanding of club issues, they continue to operate to their own agenda, with a lack of regard for clubs and what is best for the competition.”

Code Sports has been told both the Phoenix and Spirit contacted the Flyers in confusion when the fixture was released.

The WNBL's original Round 12 fixture with the Flyers' double booking, and updated.

The Flyers looked as far as Tasmania to find a suitable venue and then locked in a 3pm broadcast timeslot in a bid to host a double-header with the Phoenix. But logistical issues prevented that from happening and the club eventually settled on Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre in Albert Park, which has 1200 fewer seats.

The game had to remain at 3pm because the WNBL had already moved Sydney’s February 3 game against Adelaide to 7pm on Wednesday, due to the FIBA window — again, after the fixture was released.

WNBL chief executive Christy Collier-Hill confirmed the league was notified of the double booking after the fixture’s release.

“We’ve been working with the club on this since the fixture was finalised and released last year, and we were made aware of the issue,” Collier-Hill said.

Aussie basketball legends Lauren Jackson and Andrew Gaze pump up Wednesday afternoon’s Flyers game against Bendigo. Picture: Brendan Beckett

“We’ve looked at alternate venues, had discussions with SEM about options, considered swapping Flyers and Spirit games, and looked at changing the date of the game

“We remained solution focused and, ultimately this (MSAC) is where the league and club agreed for the game to be played.

“We recognise that the 3pm timeslot is not ideal however, as a family-friendly league, also took into consideration the fact that it was being played in school holidays, in an appropriate venue.

“The game will also be shown live on 9Now.”

Southside’s players, including legendary Opal Lauren Jackson, are embracing the opportunity to play at a unique time and venue and the club is offering kids tickets at $5 and has provided members with access to tickets.

Basketball Australia is working with strategic management consultancy firm Alacria Global as part of a plan to restructure the WNBL and attract private investment.

Basketball WA is attempting to sell the Lynx, while at least one other club is on the market.

Originally published as Southside Flyers owner Gerry Ryan slams WNBL over embarrassing fixture double booking