BASKETBALL fans will have to support the new south-east Queensland Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) team from the stands and not from their lounge rooms.
The ABC has axed its coverage of WNBL due to budget cutbacks, after over 30 years of involvement with the women’s game.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Chairman of South East Queensland Basketball Jarrod Sierocki said the move is a let down.
“We have some of the most talented basketball players in the world and not having pathways for children, teenagers, associations and the general community in which to support their team and give their support is very disappointing,” he said.
The Australian Sports Commission recently recommended a number of changes for the WNBL including reducing the amount of games played in a season from 22 to 16 to concentrate interest, as well as following the men’s game into online streaming of matches.
Mr Sierocki said he was not convinced online streaming was the answer.
“I am not a fan of live streaming because it stops people attending games and really hinders the sport evolving and developing," he said.
"I think there is a fine line between being able to replay a sport online and what audience that targets with being balanced enough to attract crowds.
“I also think that streaming can be quite positive like it is in the NBA although we need a product that is televised and generates interest and crowds to stream, otherwise the amount of money that streaming would cost to be effective would hinder teams and not promote them in my view."
The as-yet-unnamed South East Queensland WNBL team will play next season and their home court will be the Logan Metro Sports Complex in Browns Plains.
