Joint NBL1 license the ‘fair outcome’: Launceston Basketball boss

The boss of the Launceston Basketball Association, who has family roots in both camps, believes a joint NBL1 license between the Tornadoes and NW Thunder is the ‘only outcome that is fair’.

Kiwi recruit Bailey Flavell with Launceston Tornadoes coach Zoe Mesman earlier this season. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Launceston Basketball Association’s boss believes a joint license, where both teams play in both regions, is the “only outcome that is fair and equitable” as the Tornadoes and North West Thunder try to resolve their futures.

Only one northern Tasmania NBL1 license, operated by the same organisation, to be allocated by Basketball Victoria next season.

The Thunder and Tornadoes are the league’s only stand-alone men’s and women’s teams respectively.

The Tornadoes released a statement on June 28 confirming the Thunder plan to submit their own license, due on July 18, with Launceston resigned to following suit.

LBA’s president Craig Gibson’s wife Mandy played for the Tornadoes’ 1995 national championship-winning team, while his son Logan currently plays for the Thunder.

“I very much see both sides of the story, two groups of passionate people who are trying to do the right thing for the sport and their members,” Gibson said.

“But the only way I can see it serving the basketball community of the north is for both teams to play in both regions, to be a dual license that services Launceston and the coast in a truly meaningful way, and to make sure it’s accessible so fans can be at games, without one group or the other having to travel constantly.

North West Thunder at a timeout. Photo: NBL1

“If either organisation takes that level of basketball just to their region, it’s going to be difficult for the people in the other region.

“For mine the only outcome that is fair and equitable is they play games in both regions, male and female, and they play, train and do trials for the athletes.”

Gibson can sympathise with clubs who are keen to retain the heritage and history they’ve built.

“Obviously my family is very heavily involved in basketball, my wife was a Tornado in 1995 when they won the championship,” he said.

“It’s very important and loved by the Launceston community, and the risk of losing that is big in everyone’s mind.

“It’s equally the same with the Thunder, if the Tornadoes took the male license the same applies.

“There’s also life members and people who have been around that club for decades, who don’t want to lose it.”

“Right now the girls are serviced relatively well across both regions, the men not as well. “Everything is centred in Ulverstone which makes it difficult for those on the fringe (of selection) and are trying to access that level of sport. It’s a massive commitment to drive three hours for training and not actually play.

“There’s a heap of guys here in Launnie who don’t access NBL1 level, who probably should be able to.

“It’s imperative for me and for Launceston basketball that is happens, that it becomes a joint license in both regions. It can’t be isolated.”

Gibson also hopes the clubs can find a way to form a joint board which incorporates the knowledge and experience from both.

“For it to be successful, they have to use the people with the knowledge of the region they’re in,” he said.

“You’ve got sponsors and volunteers and passionate supporters in both areas. The minute you take that away and go ‘no it’s ours now’, you lose a lot of that knowledge and connection, and you have to rebuild it.”

Meanwhile, Tasmania’s boys team suffered a third straight narrow loss at the under-16 basketball championships on Tuesday.

Tasmania went down by a point 71-70 to WA Country, the third loss by seven points or less thus far.

Johnty Dynan continued his strong campaign with 16 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, while Greyson Boxhall (18 points, five assists) and Cooper Baker (15 points) and Riley Powell (ten points, 13 rebounds) were big contributors.

In the girls’ clash, Tasmania was made to pay for a sluggish first quarter in a 73-63 loss to Victoria Country.

Tasmania trailed 23-9 after the opening term and got as close as five points in the last quarter, but couldn’t bridge the gap.

Live streams of every game can be viewed HERE.