ON the back of the Mount Gambier Pioneers Basketball Club’s inclusion in the NBL1 competition for the 2020 season, NBL1 general manager Dean Anglin visited the Icehouse on Tuesday morning.
He spoke at length to club members about the decision, why the club was initially refused entry and what the future holds.
The original South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) folded at the end of 2017, with a new league formed by Basketball Victoria.
Mount Gambier was not included, with one major sticking point – the lack of a women’s side.
Despite the Pioneers’ willingness to create a women’s team, the club’s application was refused, which left the club without a league to compete in.
From there the Pioneers joined Basketball SA’s Premier League out of Adelaide and performed well, with the women reaching the preliminary final, while the men went down in the grand final.
That showed a determination by the club to remain in the running for NBL1 inclusion.
The Pioneers’ recent success at SEABL level ensured they would need to be given a fair go regarding the new competition.
After tireless months or work the bid was finally successful, with a one-year licence granted.
NBL1 grants two-year licences, with the Pioneers now inline with other clubs in the competition.
Anglin had nothing but praise for the Pioneers’ board.
“If you look at the history of the Pioneers, it is sensational to have a club which has such a proud history now playing in what we believe is easily the second-best competition in Australia,” he said.
“For the club to be able to achieve that is outstanding.
“They were issued some challenges at the end of last year by the selection committee for NBL1 which had denied their original application.
“They have lived up to every one of those challenges over the last 12 months.
“The performance of the women’s team, coming from nothing, certainly did not go unnoticed.
“The other work they have been doing from a club point of view to ensure they stay relevant and on the radar really got us to a point where it was a no-brainer to have them in the league.”
While many believed the new league was simply a re-badged SEABL competition, Anglin said that was not the case.
He said the NBL1 was focused on a professional brand, which would provide a real pathway to the elite level with its links to the National Basketball League.
“SEABL was a semi-professional league, as is NBL1,” Anglin said.
“We are using professional technology to increase the level of the competition.
“The partnership with the NBL literally gives us a tangible pathway to the highest league in the country.
“It is really important people understand we are aiming for a level of excellence.”
Despite the success of Mount Gambier in the final years of the SEABL competition, Anglin said there was never a guarantee the Pioneers would be accepted into the NBL1.
He said it was more about sustainability for each club.
“For us it was never about wishing or wanting to have Mount Gambier in the league,” he said.
“It was about making sure everyone was compliant with the rules that were set by the selection committee at the time.
“At that time the Pioneers were not, but fast forward 12 months and the club will tell you the best thing they ever did was bring in the women’s team.”
Initially it appeared there was much opposition from other clubs to the Pioneers’ involvement in NBL1, which could still be the case.
However, Anglin said the NBL1 board has made its decision based on the interest of the league.
“From a league point of view we are prepared to make decisions which are in the best interest of the sport or the league,” he said.
“There was certainly some reluctance from the Victorian clubs to want to make the trip to Mount Gambier, but we believe we have addressed all of those concerns.
“We have not had any push back from any of those clubs since we made our decision.”
Anglin praised the Pioneers’ board and all involved with the continued pressure which has finally paid dividends.
“I think the club has proven over the last 12 months its desire and want was never lost,” he said.
“The hunger of the club to get to where they want was never lost.
“No one ever relented.
“It is all credit to the board and the work they have done over the last 12 months to get the club compliant with the rules set by Basketball Victoria.
“It gets them to the point where they are now in and I do not think they will look back.”
