Hobart Chargers officially to return next year after spending 2019 on the bench

With the bitter feud with Basketball Tasmania now in the past, the Hobart Chargers will bounce back onto the court next year

Hobart Chargers players Kylie McCauley and Jordan Hargrave are excited the Chargers are back in the NBL 1 next season. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

THE Hobart Chargers’ one year hiatus is over with the club to return to the NBL1 in 2020.

Following the stunning falling out with Basketball Tasmania 12 months ago — which led to last year’s SEABL men’s champions withdrawing their licence application to the rebranded second tier competition — the Chargers will return with the backing of the state association.

The Hobart Huskies represented the southern region in the inaugural season of the NBL1 before their swift departure several months ago.

After months of negotiations, Basketball Victoria has given the Chargers the green light to retake the licence, with the club to immediately begin the search for coaches for the men’s and women’s programs.

“We had to wait to have a few things play out but the board made a really, really tough decision time last year, it was a heartbreaking decision really based on the circumstances,” Chargers president David Bartlett said.

Chargers president David Bartlett. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

“We couldn’t be happier to be back, I know the board and the volunteer army and supporters will be celebrating with us for sure.

“I don’t want to trawl over history, that’s all on the record last year the reasons why I didn’t believe we could compete last year, but many of those things have changed and we have worked constructively with BTas to get them changed.”

The club has been issued an initial one-year licence to bring them in line with the NBL1 foundation licence holders.

Former SEABL powerhouse Mt Gambier has also been granted a licence for next season after being left out in the cold in 2019.

The Hobart Chargers celebrating their SEABL Grand Final victory in 2018. Picture: Shannon Knaus

With Tasmania’s potential entry to the NBL bubbling away behind the scenes following the huge success of the pre-season Blitz last month, Bartlett said a primary focus for the Chargers would be providing a pathway for emerging talent.

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“We had a three-year plan and executed it … we ticked those boxes,” he said.

“We need a new plan and that focus is going to be about developing young Tasmanian talent, but still having the same exciting game nights and community engagement we had worked so hard over 2017 and 2018 to establish.

“The Chargers will always be out to win titles, there is no doubt about it and always out to play exciting basketball and put on a show for our fans.

“But ultimately we have another great challenge ahead of us now and I think our goal should be to produce 10 NBL players and 10 WNBL players in the next 10 years.”