More home games needed to boost Kiwi basketball

November 6, 2016

More home games needed to boost Kiwi basketball

Cowles Stadium in Christchurch, pictured, could be in line to host more Tall Blacks international games. Photo: Niall Anderson

Convincing quality opposition to play in New Zealand is imperative for the Tall Blacks to leap back onto the world basketball stage, leading sportsmen say.

The Kiwi side captured world attention with their phenomenal semi-final finish at the Basketball World Cup in 2002 - a performance aided by a number of testing home games leading up to the tournament.

Mark Dickel, who played point guard for the 2002 team, said it had a “superb” build-up to the tournament, including a five-match series at home against Hungary.

Now a leading basketball coach for the Canterbury Rams, Mr Dickel believed the lack of home games since the World Cup had hindered the Tall Blacks’ ability to continue rising up in world rankings.

“We had a chance to kick on with the national team but it’s hard because there’s such a small window." Home games can’t just be once every few years, he said.

Basketball New Zealand chief executive Iain Potter said high-profile home games are important to maintain national interest in basketball.

“People who have been around basketball for a long time talk about the preparation involved in 2002 as being very important to their success,” he explained.

However, home games have become a rarity for the New Zealand national side, with the 2014 series against South Korea the last to be hosted here.

Mr Potter said the lack of home games also took a toll on player availability, with several players unavailable for selection due to touring commitments overseas. He said player unavailability correlates with the minimal home contests on the international schedule.

While the Tall Blacks still play against quality opposition, the vast majority of contests are hosted overseas - none of which are broadcast on New Zealand television.

Diehard basketball fan Ryan Scott is one of the few supporters who stays up late to watch the Tall Blacks’ away games on the internet.

Mr Scott said his love of the Tall Blacks began when he was captivated by their World Cup performance in 2002, but he had “struggled” to watch them play in person over the last 14 years.

He said the lack of home games was a disappointment when trying to support the national team.

“There’s been a big fall-off. There is a stagnation of playing Australia year in, year out, and their league’s above us.”

It is possible fans will be able to see the Tall Blacks up close soon, however, with an impending new qualification route for major tournaments potentially guaranteeing multiple yearly home games - a fix which is likely to grow national interest in the sport.

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