The Centralian Advocate Fri 8 Jan 2021
Centralian Advocate; NewspaperNT
2021-01-08
Made available via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).
English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Alice Springs; Tennant Creek (N.T.) -- Newspapers; Alice Springs (N.T.) -- Newspapers; Australia, Central -- Newspapers
News Corp Australia
Darwin
Copyright. Made available by the publisher under licence.
News Corp Australia
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/821560
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/821561
40 SPORT FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 NTNE01Z01MA - V1 DBA tweaks rules DARWIN basketball clubs will breathe a sigh of relief as the DBA looks to alter its ruling, with womens sides no longer a necessity to field a mens top-league squad in 2021. Eagles, Palmerston Power and Ellas Titans were unable to field a womens side in the 2020 Championship and may face similar issues in 2021. According to the rule set up for equality, clubs without a senior womens side cannot nominate a mens side. But due to the COVID-19 crisis and a change in season structure, executive officer Kerri Savidge said the DBA was looking to reform the rule to assist clubs through a difficult time. Unfortunately, this one season is also when every other state runs its state league or NBL1 competition, Savidge told the NT News. This, combined with COVID restrictions and players playing in their state league, will severely diminish the available talent. For this and other reasons the DBA League rules are currently being revised with the competitions manager and board, and will be reflective of no womens team required. The womens and mens team rule was initially to create equality ... and the hope that clubs would not focus solely on the mens teams and also strongly support womens teams. Now our world has changed again. And with season timing it is evident that it would be near-on impossible for nine clubs, or even seven or eight clubs to field a competitive womens side in the (championship) league in 2021. The current league structure running from April to September will see the Darwin competition played at the same time as other state com petitions. As such, a number of play er imports and Darwinites alike looking to pursue a career in the sport will be looking to move south in a bid to make an NBL1 side, something which Savidge fears may impact the standard of the league. I fully support the one season for League as it gives players an opportunity to rest and recover, play another sport or play interstate in the various NBL1 competitions, Savidge said. What I am not a supporter of is the timing of the chosen season as it competes with other state-based com petitions throughout Australia. It limits opportunity for Darwin-based players to play at home and interstate, and limits opportunities to attract out-of-state players. However, if we played League only from September to March (normal NBL season and not NBL1 season) we would have the advantage of players being able to play in our league in Darwin and in the next-level comp, NBL1. It would also assist if we do join one of the NBL1 competitions in allowing players to play in the local league competition and the NBL1 comp. Darwin Basketball Association boss Kerri Savidge says Championship clubs do not have to field womens teams in 2021. Picture: Ivan Rachman NATHANIEL CHAMBERS PALMERSTON Power coach Lance Godwin is excited for a lengthy pre-season as he looks to bolster his squad, while the club continues its hunt for female talent. Power did not make the finals last season, but with plenty of players likely to stick around while others may be coming in, the senior coach is looking forward to what may be a successful year. Well be kicking off soon after the break with a proper pre-season, which will be the real advantage of this season compared to previous years, Godwin said. There will be a lot of movement this season with many locals and imports heading down south, which will be awesome as it creates opportunities for new and existing players. As for us we will still have some time before we see whos in the squad for this season, but we have a good base with many being tall. Power have been without a womens side since the 2019 Championship season, in which the side finished bottom. However, with many of their junior and Division 1 players including TLeyah Turner and Skye King playing in the Ansett top-league side, there are players who can come into the fold for 2021. Palmerston president Kelly King said the club would be holding try-outs for its womens senior outfit and looking for up to 10 players. Were trying hard to get a womens side and will be holding try-outs next week to look at interest, King said. Its extremely difficult to get the players with football being a major competitor to us, but this is a critical pathway for our juniors and we lose a lot without a senior side. Club on hunt for girl power NATHANIEL CHAMBERS BIG Aussie summer issue! on sale NOW