Potential rule change at DBA gives lifeline to clubs struggling to get women’s sides
DARWIN basketball clubs will breathe a sigh of relief as the DBA looks to alter their ruling with women’s sides no longer a necessity to field a men’s league squad in 2021.
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DARWIN basketball clubs will breathe a sigh of relief as the DBA looks to alter their ruling with women’s sides no longer a necessity to field a men’s Championship League squad in 2021.
Eagles, Palmerston Power and Ellas Titans were unable to field a women’s side in the 2020 DBA Championship, and they may face similar issues in 2021.
According to the rule set up for equality, clubs without a senior league women’s side cannot nominate a men’s side.
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However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and a change in season structure, DBA executive officer Kerri Savdige said the DBA was looking to reform the rule to assist clubs through a difficult time.
“Unfortunately, this one season is also when every other state runs their state league or NBL1 competition,” Savidge told the NT News.
“This combined with COVID restrictions and players playing in their state league will severely diminish the available talent.
“For this and other reasons the DBA League rules are currently being revised with the competitions manager and board, and will be reflective of no women’s team required.
“The womens and mens team rule was initially to create an equality in the sports and the hope that clubs would not focus solely on the men’s teams and also strongly support women’s teams.
“Now our world has changed again and with season timing it is evident that it would be near on impossible for nine clubs, or even seven or eight clubs to field a competitive women’s side in the (Championship) League in 2021.”
The current league structure running from April to September will see the Darwin competition played at the same time as other state competitions.
As such, a number of player imports and Darwinites alike looking to pursue a career in the sport will be looking to move south in a bid to make an NBL1 side, something which Savidge fears may impact the level of the league.
“I fully support the one season for League as it gives players an opportunity to rest and recover, play another sport or play interstate in the various NBL1 competitions,” Savidge said.
“What I am not a supporter of is the timing of the chosen season as it competes with other state-based competitions throughout Australia.
“It limits opportunity for Darwin based players to play at home and interstate and limit opportunities to attract out-of-state players.
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“However if we played League ‘only’ from September to March (normal NBL season and not NBL1 season) we would have the advantage of players being able to play in our league in Darwin and in the next-level comp NBL1.
“It would also assist if we do join one of the NBL1 competitions in allowing players to play in the local league competition and the NBL1 comp.”
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