lol wot

Good luck to them, if they got the coin do it. Nbl 1 will fall behind more, seabl should have been kept.

My guess is playing in the NZNBL is going to take more coin than SEABL. But if Hobart can do it there really isn't any reason MTG can’t. But to say NZNBL will replace or reduce NBL1 is ridiculous. Also they might need a new updated stadium first.

A $40 million complex including basketball has been announced for Mount Gambier.

Nbl 1 is a shadow of seabl. They pay less and have a longer season, nznbl will take all the better nbl players who are available.

Wow. Someone must have some cash. Once you catch a plane to The Mount is expensive. Far more than to Hobart. It's a regional leg and I doubt that this will ever happen.Everyone must fly from Melb to there. Not in a Million years.

Hey #983, you do know there are no direct flights from NZ to Tasmania don't you?

Rock or hard place for Mt Gambier.

Premier League not a long term option.

BA/BV blocking NBL1.

Good on them for having a go. Fighting for their future.

Probably just doing it to put some pressure on to be allowed into NBL1

...or desperately looking for way to survive and prosper.

Given that they pretty much left them to cease to exist last year, not sure that BA/BV will be too stressed.

"Premier League not a long term option."

Can anyone explain this? Not having a go, just thought playing in their own state would make a lot of sense.

Should say

"Hey #983, you do know there are no direct flights from NZ to Tasmania don't you?"
Sure do. However its about $400 return to The Mount. Before you even leave for NZ. A lot dearer than Hbt to Mel.

Might want to check your figures there 001

I did quick experiment on webjet.com

Melb to Mount flights return...
MEL to MOUnt $217.... MOUNT to MELB $173.... total return including taxes etc $424, so I guess approx. $400 is about right.
becomes an expensive exercise for the home team and away team I guess? $430 x 13 (10 players, 2 coaches, 1 team manger) = $5590 just return from Melbourne.

AUCK to MELB $289.... MELB to AUCK $313 (flying Air NZ).... total return including taxes etc $681. As above $681 x 13 = $8853

5590 + 8853 = 14443 for each return trip to/from NZ.

that's a lot of fund to find for the whole season. but hey good luck to Mount Gambier if they have an infinite cash flow to sustain it.

And its exactly the same if you take normal fares from Melbourne to Hobart return using Qantas

Cairns could join NZBL :)-

Does this mean their women's team is done?

You would think it unlikely Curtley but if you don't ask you don't know

If they've got the budget what does it matter population wise. Mt. Gambier are the best club outside of the NBL in Australia. Their success at SEABL level speaks volumes and the fact the Victorian teams couldn't beat them was a driving force in kicking them out. They have a huge budget and the whole town backs them. A very well run organisation.

The Pioneers will be able to offer both Aussies players and imports the opportunity to play in a league of higher quality than any Australian winter league. And to live within driving distance of Melbourne and Adelaide.

They have a very good coach, strong community and commercial support and it won't be that long before they have a new stadium / community hub to play in.

They have been punching above their weight for some time now. It was one reason the Vics were finding reasons to get rid of them. Hopefully SA can get behind them.

I do not think it is as easy as Mt Gambier having the big budget. Teams from the NZ mainland would have to have a double header Souther and Mt Gambier and it's their budgets that may not be able to sustain the increased cost.

Good question about their women's program. One of the main concerns with the SEABL teams was the advantage they had only having to pay for a men's team.

Would be a shame if they decided to drop their women's team after only one year.

I would hope they commit to the PL sooner than they did this year!!

Can't commit until you've been invited.

MT G took the time to regroup and move on? NO guarantee that they will be admitted. The difference between SEABL and the NZBL is massive. Personally as someone who has see the Pioneers play over many seasons I doubt that they will be competitive and there will be NO locals in that side. Is that what MT Gambier really wants?

Pretty sure they have no idea of the costs. No equalisation in the NZBL afaik.

They are getting a 40 million dollar stadium. They'll be in the NBL before you know it. Don't underestimate Mt. Gambier for getting shit done.

Certainly it will have to be 3+ years now.

you cant seriously think that they have no idea of the costs.

The Mount are up themselves and this will never happen in a million years. The NBL will never go back down the path of the "all in" times of the League. Geelong, Gold Coast etc etc have all been in and are better options right now than the Mount but wont be ever NBL franchises again.

The only NBL linkage for the Mount is Richard "Mr Personality" Hill who thinks he is at that level! BSA were absolute idiots for giving these bloodsuckers an opportunity in the PL! I would have asked for 3 years minimum rather than letting them in for one year at the competitions and clubs expense.

No other state league would allow this, but hey this is BSA.

Haha please show us where the club have ever said that nbl is ever going to be considered, of course it isn't and never will be. Only mentioned here buy trolls. You seem to have been sucked in.

The nznbl is an entirely different beast.

What is your issue with Richard Hill. Jealous of his record?

Think you will find it was bsa and the other clubs who only offered a one year deal and then reassess not the mount demanding one year as you suggest. Again could you perhaps point to where club have said they don’t want to participate in the bsa league next year.

Also if you could point out how having pioneers in pl is at cost to competition or clubs? You realise the Adelaide clubs are having all their travel costs met and pioneers were barred from recruiting any players from pl clubs don’t you?

You have clearly shown in your post how clueless you are.

I think the post about the Pioneers NBL ambitions was a bit tongue in cheek.

They were scrambling to just survive and belatedly managed to get a year in PL, but with big restrictions on their recruiting.

They are still looking for a way forward, but are grateful to the PL clubs for the opportunity this season.

Anyone know what's going on with this? Are they definitely leaving PL? Great to watch but would be nice to have a chance of winning the title again if they leave.

Why would you think that, should they be accepted, MtG would field the same side they currently have playing in Premier League?

Mt G. in the PL has been nothing but a huge success. Teams have enjoyed travelling there and it has allowed the Pioneers to put together a very decent women's side along with their always competitive men. Yes, they won't stick in the PL but it has been a worthwhile exercise for them and the league. Best of luck to them wherever they play next year be it NZ or NBL1.

So the same team is going to play in the PL and the NZBL?