Tassie NBL1 landscape set for major overhaul as rivals put foot down on travel

Basketball Victoria has responded to conjecture over the future of the NW Thunder and Launceston Tornadoes, reaffirming its commitment to “arrive at the solution that is best for basketball in Tasmania.” Get the latest here.

Former North West Thunder player Tre Armstrong recently signed a two-day NBA deal with Golden State. Photo: Robert Spencer.

Basketball Victoria (BV) has reaffirmed its commitment to including two women’s and men’s Tasmania-based teams in the NBL1 South, and are “open to North West Thunder and Launceston Tornadoes working under one banner”.

What the immediate future holds for the state’s two northern-based teams, which operate under the same license, is uncertain after Victorian clubs expressed concerns over travel costs.

The Thunder and Tornadoes are the only teams with stand-alone male and female teams in the league. In a statement on Thursday night, Basketball Victoria said “when renewing a two year license to all NBL1 South clubs for the 2023-24 seasons (Thunder, Tornadoes considered one club), both organisations were notified that by the end of 2025, there would be one licence in

Northern Tasmania from the same organisation required to enter both a men’s and

women’s team.”

The statement also clarified that

- Since that time, Basketball Victoria has encouraged the two organisations to work

together under one license to represent the broader northern Tasmania region in

NBL1 South, rather than losing one or the other;

- Basketball Victoria will call for applications for licenses from Tasmania later this year.

The license will only be granted to an organisation entering both a men’s and a

women’s team, as stipulated by league rules; and

- Basketball Tasmania is required to endorse Basketball Victoria’s recommendation for

licenses.

BV also made it clear they are not reducing the number of licenses allocated to Tasmania, with the Hobart Chargers fielding a men’s and women’s team.

“Basketball Victoria is not reducing licenses to NBL1 South from Tasmania,” the statement said.

“We are committed to having two men’s and two women’s teams from Tasmania, as we have done to date.

“We are open to both NW Thunder and Launceston Tornadoes working together under

one banner, respecting the long history of both organisations in NBL1 South, the previous

South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) and its predecessors.”

BV also said when two year licenses were handed out in 2018, Northern Tasmania was the only region given an exemption to not have a men’s and women’s team from the same association.

The Thunder and Tornadeos were told the license needed to stem from one association/organisation for the 2021 season, but that was adjusted due to the COVID pandemic.

“Basketball Victoria recognises the strength of basketball across northern Tasmania and the

contributions to basketball in both the north-west of Tasmania and the broader Launceston

region,” the statement said.

“We are keen to work with Basketball Tasmania and both organisations to arrive at

the solution that is best for basketball in Tasmania, and, in the interests of the NBL1 South

competition. We understand the importance of having an NBL1 South team in northern

Tasmania and remain strongly supportive of that being the case.”

EARLIER: Tassie NBL1 landscape set for major overhaul as rivals put foot down on travel

Launceston Tornadoes and North West Thunder will make maintaining the pathway for young talent and ensuring each region has a ‘genuine presence’ in the NBL1 South as key objectives, with travel concerns from Victorian clubs set to spark a major overhaul.

The Tornadoes and Thunder, who operate under the same licence, are the only teams with stand-alone female and male teams respectively in the league, which is governed and operated by Basketball Victoria.

Victorian clubs have expressed issues for some time over the costs involved with sending their male and female teams to different parts of the state for games.

The Tornadoes currently play six home games in Launceston (two as stand alone, four in double headers), and five double headers with the Thunder in Ulverstone.

Tornadoes chair Lauren Faulkner said talks with Basketball Victoria on how to best resolve the situation had been ongoing for at least a year.

“Their non-negotiable is they want men’s and women’s teams that are under the same licence, ie North West and ourselves to play our games at the same venue, one after the other from round to round” Faukner said.

“Historically we used to have all 11 of our home games at home, over time that was reduced to nine, and we’ve been operating on six (two stand alone, four double headers) the last few years.

“Obviously the reduction of home games does present difficulties for both clubs when it comes to revenue raising, ticket sales and a sponsorship perspective, but we’ve been managing that as best we can.

“All teams get funding from the Tasmanian government and there is a considerable shortfall, so you have to raise money to get a team on the court.

“We’ve just been doing our best and the situation isn’t news to us, it’s just where to from here.”

Faulkner was confident a resolution was possible where both teams could maintain their current identities.

“We want basketball at that level to continue to have a genuine presence in all three regions across the state. That has been our preferred position from the start and we’re not moving away from that.

“If we realise it’s not going to be plausible because of the positions of the relevant parties involved, then we might have to change tune, but that’s what we’ll be pushing for.

“We think that is achievable because both clubs could theoretically continue to operate with their current branding, maintain their separate identities and share the hosting of games.

“We feel that approach makes the most sense. We think it’s the best outcome for the state but there are hurdles, it needs a framework and structure in place.

“The ultimate decision will be left in the hands of Basketball Victoria, because they’re the administrator of the league.

“We don’t agree with that approach and I’ve spoken to (Basketball Victoria CEO) Nick Honey and he’s also been very clear he doesn’t want to dictate how clubs are operating down here. “The reality is if everyone adopts a cooperative and collaborative approach to this, then no one has to lose out.”

Both Faulker and Thunder chair James Leslie understood Victorian clubs’ issues over Tasmanian travel.

But Leslie was emphatic in his belief that the teams sharing home games isn’t a long term solution.

“We currently have that (some double headers) model in play, and it’s far from ideal,” Leslie said.

“From what you can offer sponsors, to game day ticket income and the extra costs associated with the travel up and down the highway, it’s extremely difficult for both clubs.

“Having two clubs sharing 11 games just doesn’t work in it’s entirety, and the lost revenue at both ends isn’t a long term option.

“The NBL1 have openly said that they wanted two licences in the state that housed a men’s and women’s program under the same roof, so this time was always coming.

“It is hard on the travelling teams that come to play here as they end up playing night games over an hour away from each other. That doesn’t just impact them financially, as it has a level of extra travel late at night to join the other team post-game, along with the inconveniences of having to split coaching/medical staff that usually are there to support both teams.

Australian Opal and WNBL star Keely Froling has played the last few seasons with the Launceston Tornadoes. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

“We do currently share a licence (with Tornadoes), but run very separate programs. Whatever happens in 2026 and beyond it’s important that it doesn’t negatively impact the pathway of junior basketballers in the north of the state. We need their development and access to the higher level of the sport to be the priority.”

Both teams are understandably keen to ensure their long-standing history is retained.

“Our club has quite a rich history that spans across over three decades, and that would be a shame to see that disappear,” Faulkner said.

“Particularly given we’ve been a stand-alone female club at that semi professional level. I think that’s quite rare and it was extremely rare when we formed.”

Leslie said it was vital young talent could see the next level they’re aspiring to in their own backyard.

“We feel that our program is very viable and sustainable in the NBL1 landscape, and also enjoy having the Tornadoes playing with us in Ulverstone on double header weekends,” he said.

“We love seeing the success stories of young men and women coming through the NBL1, and being able to experience that high level so close to home.

“For some of them, it’s that standard that allows them to develop faster in readiness for their basketball journey ahead. It gives them a sense of true pathway, accessibility and the ability to move up the ladder.”

Basketball Tasmania CEO Ben Smith is also part of the league’s advisory panel, and represents the interest of the Tasmanian teams.

“The clubs know the state of play and the league has let them know. They’ve known for over a year, and the league will now be talking to all parties until the end of the season,” Smith said.

“I talk to all of the NBL1 clubs each week and the league in some form. We’re in communication all the time, at some point this week I’ll go back to the collective group with an update or some options to work their way through.

“It’s Basketball Victoria’s league, and their teams who come to Tasmania have expressed opinions on what they’d prefer.

“We’re really clear we want to see the NBL1 teams provide pathway opportunities for emerging Tasmanian athletes.

“They are the bridge between local basketball and the next level, whether that’s NBL or WNBL or college or the NBA. The fact they exist is the main thing.”