The Illawarra Hawks are soaring towards Canberra and Basketball ACT boss Michael Haynes is confident the partnership will be much more than a flash in the pan.
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Haynes and Hawks general manager Mat Campbell are edging closer to locking in a date for a blockbuster pre-season double-header with the WNBL's Canberra Capitals.
It is the first step in Illawarra's path to establishing a long-term deal with Basketball ACT to play games in Canberra and strengthen the capital's development pathways.
Officials from both parties are already looking into providing membership options to Canberra and Illawarra-based supporters that would maximise support in both regions.
Nothing is set in stone but Haynes is very confident the capital will have a sustained elite men's basketball presence for the first time since the Canberra Cannons went bust in 2003.
"We’ve both been very keen on looking at a double-header in the pre-season with the Caps as well, which will be in late September," Haynes said.
"We don’t have anything firm yet but still both parties are really keen. I don’t think there will be regular season in this upcoming season, but absolutely they are very keen to play regular season down here.
"Scheduling is a nightmare. Over the season they might have 10 days when they have three home games, and that’s really hard to do, particularly in a market that is only as big as Wollongong.
"That is a big ask for fans, so they would love, if that occurs, to bring a game to Canberra and get some spread.
"I’m not sure we’re going to make it happen for this season unfortunately but I am very confident it will happen in future seasons."
NBL officials had met with ACT sport minister Yvette Berry to open early discussions about hosting the NBL Blitz in Canberra to tap into the region's booming basketball market.
However the investment required by the government to host the pre-season tournament in Canberra was just out of reach, with the focus turning to a deal with the Hawks.
The pre-season tournament is traditionally held in September, the timeslot in which Canberra basketball fans can hope for a Hawks-Capitals double-header.
"We see it also helps complete the pathway. We’ve got the Caps on the girls’ side for players, coaches and referees aspiring to be in the WNBL," Haynes said.
"To have a really good relationship with the Hawks, we would love to see it reflected in the SEABL teams. It would give them exposure to the next level.
"There’s all sorts of things, not just games being played here, but our development pathways would be strengthened."
The NBL has sold its next expansion franchise to Swansea City co-owner Romie Chaudhari with the team to begin playing in the 2019-2020 season, however a location is yet to be determined.
NBL owner Larry Kestelman is keen on the idea of a second - and potentially a third - team in Victoria to capitalise on the success of reigning champions Melbourne United.
A location for the expansion franchise is yet to be locked in which has allowed some to dream of a Cannons resurgence.
A reborn Canberra franchise would have a ready made world class training facility at the AIS, however the day the NBL establishes a permanent presence in the capital is still years away.
But that doesn't mean there won't be a complete gap in the market.
"You look at AFL, who have plenty of money, they still don’t have a team based here but they have a really good, close connection which keeps growing and is now involved with netball," Haynes said.
"Both the Hawks and us, and the NBL - it’s not just the two of us, the NBL is involved in these discussions as well, are very keen for a partnership."
