Casey NBL plan

By Bridget Cook
NATIONAL Basketball League (NBL) stars could take to the courts in the City of Casey in the future.
Councillor Geoff Ablett moved a motion at Tuesday night’s council meeting that officers contact board member of the Melbourne Tigers, Lindsay Gaze, to discuss the possibility of attracting an NBL team to train in Casey.
Cr Ablett said the idea came about when he met Mr Gaze at the official opening of the Bunyip Auditorium.
He said that he told Mr Gaze that Casey had one of the highest populations in Australia for children aged newborn to four years.
“I also told him that Casey has more than 1000 netball and basketball teams, with people of all ages,” he said.
“We thought it would be a good idea to develop basketball in the area and bring basketball to the people so kids could meet some NBL stars.”
Cr Ablett said at this stage Casey Indoor Leisure Complex in Cranbourne would be the most suitable location for this, but other facilities around Casey were not out of the question.
“Council has plans to build more courts there and the possibly a design that could seat a large number of people,” he said.
“Council are prepared to put funds into the courts, and we could also seek state and federal government funding.”
While Cr Ablett said at this stage the plan was to just attract a team to train in the area, in future he hoped the area could also host games and that players would engage with the community through clinics.
“Kids could come along and meet their stars and feel engaged with basketball,” he said.
“It will also help promote participation.
“Look at Casey’s involvement with the Melbourne Football Club, about 4000 people turned up just to watch them train.
“It’s about connecting the kids and people in community into the sport through the big names in the game.”
Mr Gaze, father of Australian NBA player Andrew Gaze, said he had a vision a long time ago that four major basketball venue were needed outside the metropolitan area.
He said he wanted them to become resource centres for the promotion and development of basketball in the areas.
He said that while the concept was received well with many, the application was a lot more difficult.
“When I met Geoff at the Bunyip Auditorium opening I reiterated my views and he said it sounded like a good idea,” he said.
“It is definitely an opportunity that is worthwhile exploring.”
Mr Gaze said the Melbourne Tigers were the team in discussion.
Talks will now take place between the council, Mr Gaze and other parties involved.
Council officers will report back to council by the end of July.