The iconic Canberra Cannons brand was relaunched yesterday but basketball officials have no short-term ambitions to enter a team in the National Basketball League.
Basketball ACT chief executive Mark Cartwright unveiled a major restructure of men's basketball in Canberra, aimed at increasing the profile of the sport.
Canberra Cannons Pty Ltd will take control of the ACT's South East Australian Basketball League team, changing its name from the Gunners to the Cannons.
It will be the first time the Cannons name has been used since Canberra's triple-championship winning NBL team folded in 2003.
The Cannons SEABL team will play its home games at the AIS Arena and club officials are intent on dramatically lifting the team's sponsorship and membership numbers.
Cartwright said the venture combined the on-court success of the Gunners with the appeal of the Cannons brand.
''The Cannons bring a very proud tradition and the Gunners have been very successful on the floor,'' Cartwright said.
''We think by combining the two it will make for an exciting basketball product leading into the future.
''The Cannons is a strong brand and it was the peak basketball team in this town for a very long time.
''This [SEABL] team is the peak of men's basketball in this town right here and now.
For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times