That's true, from what I heard (grapevine talk) the cost of playing big V was the major incentive to play here. Along with less travel. That was my understanding

If the problem is the cost of playing in one comp, I doubt they would try stretch themselves to play in two different comps

Would be good to get a few of the bigger regional centres in the ABL. Make it truly a state league. Surely we can get some of the bigger areas involved. Riverland, port augusta/port pirie, port lincoln/whyalla?

Whyalla is the largest regional center in SA with good numbers of juniors playing basketball, but the numbers and standard in seniors is not so good. Seniors is pretty social.
More chance of getting regioanl centres to enter teams in junior grades - say under 14/ 16, but most would be uncompetitive in div 1.
Either way its a long drive ( 4 hrs Adel - Whyalla) so would take a huge commitment.

Just if basketball had some money...
heard stories of u18 footballers from the west getting flown to adelaide by the team to try out.

Over the years there have been a number of Whyalla kids - Angela Marino, Chris Blakemore, even as far back as Kym Borrett - are they few that have "made it to the top". There have been more, usually driven to and from Adelaide by parents, but usually means time off work (for parents) and school (for kids). Its very expensive and rarely leads to anything.

This is why I only mentioned it for abl. Generally too hard to do for juniors.

Also I don't think you could have too many regional teams, even though it would be great for the comp. but because most players don't get paid and many have to work on weekends, I think 1 max 2 regional teams could work. Just can't have a whole heap of travel weekends as all sorts of different costs would rise

Harder for seniors.
Juniors at least get opportunities because their parents dream the child will be the next big thing. Thats why parents make the sacrifises and drive kids around. By the time your a senior you know you're not going to make it because you are 5'10'and playing for Pt Augusta "Wildboys" or whoever.
SO we'll get a few kids making the commitment but to find a full team willing to commit to a drive of anything more than 2 hours each way ( for a full season)is not going to happen.

Swish, talking bout Mildura here. They do it weekly across Victoria with a 6 hr trip both ways. And they have shown interest in the past. That's why Mildura could be a possibility. Pretty sure the club would charter a bus also and not make players drive

mildura has been mentioned before - i would like to see them involved in abl as like mt gambier - both about the same difference travel wise.

does a regional airline fly to mildura nowadays ?


even if it was just for a season or two.

mildura is about 500+ kms from melb and 440+ kms from adel

juniors are always welcome but a good regional junior team is usually better div 2 standard. exception would be some of the mavs teams that have a lot of sa country.

limestone coast popped up a few years ago but seems to have gone by the wayside.

country schools have done teaching deals where the junior can have fri afternoon off and catch up with study another time during the week.

isn't there mt gambier or millicent players playing friday night at present ?

bendigo play vjbl or what about ballarat getting an away game at frankston - or bendigo at frankston / dandenong ? 3= hrs there

maffra v geelong - i would have thought - dandenong / nunawading stadium would be a good 1/2 way meet

I think many in Mildura would be happy to go to the ABL. There closest road trip would be Sunbury at about 580km and had to play there elimination final in Traralgon which would be 800km from Mildura. I think they would love the 400km trip each week.
Mildura play Central Districts every year in practice matches and are always high standard close games so I think they would be more then competitive in the ABL.

Thats the type of answer I was looking to receive Brian, Thanks haha. Just think it could add new sponsorship opportunities, possibly add some life to the comp. anyway was just a thought