Darwin Salties secures lucrative sponsorship deal with Tamboran Resources

The Darwin Salties have teamed with Tamboran Resources as they try to advance into the National Basketball League.

The Territory’s high-flying basketball club, Darwin Salties, has signed a new three-year sponsorship deal with energy company Tamboran.

For the next three seasons, Tamboran will sponsor the Salties men’s and women's teams as well as new high-profile women’s recruit Courtney Woods.

The deal is understood to be a high six-figure sum.

The sponsorship is a huge boost for the club, which competes in NBL1 North and plays home games at Darwin Basketball Stadium in Marrara.

CEO of Tamboran Resources Joel Riddle. John Feder/The Australian.

It's hoped the club will eventually secure licenses to compete in the National Basketball League and Women’s National Basketball League, Australia’s premier basketball competitions.

In its first season the NT government underwrote the club then last year Bridge Toyota signed a one-year contract to back the Salties.

Salties general manager Matt Nason welcomed the sponsorship and the certainty the three-year deal provides the club as it moves into a new era.

Nason said that Tamboran Resources and the Salties were both emerging high-energy teams in their fields and would grow together.

“Having Tamboran sign on as naming rights partner is so important for us,” he said.

“Without their support, and the support of all our amazing partners, we simply wouldn’t exist.

“What I especially love is that Tamboran want to see the Salties become a full-time professional NBL club – they want a long-term partnership that delivers for the Territory.

“They also have a particular interest in supporting our women’s program – including being Courtney’s player sponsor – and they will join our journey to also become a WNBL club.”

Tamboran Resources chief executive Joel Riddle, who grew up in southern United States and follows Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association, said the Salties’ games had “a warm and familiar feeling” that reminded him of his own youth.

“In just two years in the league, the Salties have made a huge impact to not just the sporting culture but the community of Darwin has a whole.” Mr Riddle said.

“Tamboran is partnering with the Salties to support them on and off the court in their bid for admission into the National Basketball League – meaning the NT will have its first ever national top-level sports team.

“This partnership is consistent with Tamboran’s goals to be an integral part of the NT community and creating new opportunities for all. We are impressed by the performances of both the men’s and women’s teams last season, and trust 2024 will be the biggest Salties season yet.”

In the clubs first two seasons the men’s team competed in finals both years and the women’s in 2023.

“The sponsorship will also give the Salties the opportunity to attract quality professional players and staff and offer new professional development pathways to aspiring young Territorian talent,” Mr Riddle said.

“The signing of the Courtney Woods is testament to how seriously the new management is taking this project.

“The Salties assist and give inspiration to young Territorians who are often faced with the prospect of having to move interstate to pursue their sporting dreams at great personal and financial cost to them and their families.

“This means young male and female basketballers from the Territory who want to hone and even pursue a career in their sport do not have to leave the NT to make their dreams a reality.