NBL to continue as nine-team competition

Updated April 20, 2012 21:07:10

The National Basketball League will remain a nine-team competition for the 2012/13 season, Basketball Australia announced on Friday.

"We are taking a deliberate decision, in line with our plans for sustainable and strategic growth, to not proceed with two bids for licensed teams," NBL Commission chair Justin Milne said.

The NBL Commission has received licence bids from a Brisbane-based group as well as a second Melbourne team and, for the past few months, has undergone an exhaustive due diligence process to determine their viability.

Unfortunately, neither bid was able to satisfy fully the entry criteria to be granted a licence for the 2012/13 season.

"We have made no secret of our plan to establish a team back into the Brisbane marketplace and add a second Melbourne team," BA chairman Kristina Keneally said.

"I realise this may be a controversial decision, but we are not going to expand the NBL for expansion's sake. We must insist any new team is financially sustainable. We make no apologies for that.

"Both bids had merit and were therefore seriously considered by the NBL Commission for the 2012/13 season. Our final determination is that neither team is ready for a licence at this time."

Milne said the NBL would work with both groups with the aim of including them for the 2013/14 season.

He said the decision might surprise some, but was in the best interest of basketball to grow the NBL with clubs that could demonstrate long-term staying power.

"Since the governance reform of late 2009, the league has already recorded tremendous growth in all key performance areas, successfully building a platform for sustainability and reclaiming the trust and respect of our stakeholders and fans," Milne said.

"All that good work would be undone if we were to grant a licence to a group that simply wasn't ready to enter the competition."

The nine teams for the 2012/13 NBL season are the Adelaide 36ers, Cairns Taipans, Gold Coast Blaze, Melbourne Tigers, New Zealand Breakers, Perth Wildcats, Sydney Kings, Townsville Crocodiles and Wollongong Hawks.

The finals system with its top-four format will be retained, with the draw to stay at 28 games for each team.

The 2012/13 season is expected to tip-off in early October.

AAP

Tags: nbl, basketball, sport, australia

First posted April 20, 2012 21:07:10

View the original article here

Basketball Goals - Benefits of the FT192 Competition Breakaway System

Competition Basketball Goals - The First Team 187D

When you go shopping for a basketball goal, you may find that it is surprisingly complicated. There is a very large selection of brands to choose from, naturally. What you may not know, however, is that there is also a very large selection of different types of basketball goals to choose from. Many of these different types of basketball goals are designed to do different things and perform different functions from relatively light use such as free throws only to heavy duty and competition use.

If you are looking to perform extreme stunts such as heavy or repeated slam dunks, a heavy duty basketball goal is probably right for you. These often feature breakaway basketball hoops, designed to bend at the neck in order to transfer load forces from the basketball hoop to the mounting hardware which prevents the basketball hoop from snapping off and breaking. However, if you are only looking for a basketball hoop for occasional recreational use then a flexible basketball goal is probably more appropriate.

A flexible basketball goal has a limited amount of flexibility at the neck and basketball hoop in order to absorb the force of free throws or up to light, occasional slam dunks. However, they are not flexible enough to properly bend with a heavy slam dunk and they may break. Yet they tend to be more economical than breakaway basketball goals while still being durable, and many models of flexible basketball goals are qualified for some types of heavy duty use.

The FT 187D is one such example of a flexible basketball goal designed for more heavy duty use. What sets this goal apart from other flexible basketball goals is its special double rim feature. The double rim, consisting of 5/8 inch thick solid steel rings, naturally adds additional strength to the basketball hoop not found on inferior basketball goals. The rim is designed for very aggressive use on playgrounds and is able to withstand the abuse normally associated with school equipment.

The FT 187D also features continuous net locks to ensure that the net will stay attached to the basketball hoop after extended and heavy use. Dual return springs help the basketball goal absorb heavier loads to prevent structural failure. The totally enclosed flexible mechanism of the rim means that the basketball goal is protected from weather and other forms of corrosion, and needs little maintenance, both important factors for a playground basketball goal.

The goal mounts to most backboards, so switching out to new backboards probably will not be necessary. The durable powder coat finish not only adds an authentic touch to the basketball goal, but ensures that the paint will stay on through years of weather and shots. The goal is designed to look great and keep that look for a very long time.

The FT 187D is also a very easy basketball goal to install. The net and mounting hardware are included, limiting the number of trips you need to the hardware store. With a shipping weight of just 29 pounds, it will not break your back either.

Trey Carter is a creative writer for an athletic equipment store, Top Hoops. They specialize in hoops from residential in-ground basketball goals to institutional systems. You can review the best basketball hoops at their online shop.