Basketball New Zealand

Welcome
Welcome to the first step towards planning and preparing for the 2008 WBL season. You, along with the WBL stalwarts, are at the cutting edge of our sport’s future. Your efforts go a long way to ensuring that New Zealand basketball has the depth in playing talent needed to strengthen our sport at national and international levels in future years. 2007 was a successful year for the consolidation of the League with three zones in operation leading to an exciting finals weekend hosted by North Harbour. 2008 looks to be on track for further consolidation of the League in terms of both participating teams and the level of competition experienced. Come mid-September 2008 and we can all confirm just that…and more.

League Objectives and Philosophy
The WBL’s objective is to provide player exposure and experience opportunities. We positively contribute to the ongoing development of the vast pool of New Zealand players and while the current strength of the women’s game restricts us in our competition format options, this should in no way detract from the very important role the League plays in New Zealand basketball. Key elements are minimum operating costs and development of New Zealand players.

With regard to development of New Zealand players this League has a purpose and in addition to the key focus of further development of New Zealand players, it is also to ensure that there is a tangible path from Junior to National levels. Achieve this and we go some way to slowing the loss of talent to other sports. Teams do need old heads and the most common composition of teams, and subsequently successful programmes, have been a balanced mix of young legs and old heads.

2008 Conference Format
Everyone associated with WBL is a winner and this can only continue with a year-in, year-out commitment by all Basketball Associations to a WBL programme. The 2008 WBL will be played in three conferences, Northern (North Island - Taupo north), Central (North Island - south of Taupo, including Gisborne and New Plymouth) and Southern (South Island). Conferences play will consist of two rounds (preferable and team number dependent). The season will start at the end of March - early April to mid June.

2008 Finals Format
The 2008 finals will consist of the two top teams from each Conference and will be played over two days. Day one will be section play. Day two will be crossovers and the final. The host will be a team from the Central Conference and those teams are, therefore, requested to consider the feasibility of staging the event in their centres.

Mid-Point of Season Player Registrations
2008 player rosters need to be genuine in terms of both content and playing intent. The registration deadline will be the midpoint of the season and this is intended to ensure teams and season programmes are both well planned and structured. To this end, please be very clear that the spirit and intent of the rule is that players, and restricted overseas players especially, must be registered and in the country playing by the midpoint of the season. Any team not abiding by the spirit of the rules on this issue can only be considered to be contravening the rules of the League in terms of bringing in a player specifically for the finals.

Association Endorsement
All teams must be endorsed by the affiliated Basketball Association within whose jurisdiction the team will be operating. It is recommended that, for the integrity of all parties concerned, the organisation seeking endorsement for a WBL team prepare a formal document for the association’s consideration.

Team Rosters
All completed team rosters must be sent to the BBNZ Leagues Manager; signed team rosters (including full names, birth date, height and position). In addition to team roster a completed Statutory Declaration for non-restricted player status is required from players. Please note that a Statutory Declaration is a legally binding document and must be signed in front of a lawyer, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Registrar or Deputy Registrar. Note also that players knowingly making false statements in their Statutory Declaration may be suspended from playing in the League as a non-restricted player.

For more detailed information, open the 2008 WBL Introduction Letter (pdf 82KB).