Sirens Dropped
Tagged in: Christchurch Sirens, National Teams, Tall Ferns
Time has run out on the NZ-based Sirens’ hopes of contesting the 2008/09 Australian WNBL.
After one season in Christchurch, the franchise was faced with the prospect of relocating to stay alive with Wellington tipped as a possible new home.
But Basketball Australia has ended those notions, informing its New Zealand counterpart that the team has been withdrawn from the league, due to tip off on October 3.
“This is a blow to our women’s programme,” confirms Basketball New Zealand chief executive Dale Stephens. “But we still see the Sirens as an important part of our pathway towards the Tall Ferns and hope this is not the end of the concept.”
“While their fate is sealed this season, we still intend moving the franchise to another city and establishing a new management structure that can sustain it on a long-term basis.”
Basketball New Zealand must now convince Basketball Australia to allow the Kiwis back in the competition for 2009/10.
The Sirens were formed 12 months ago by Canterbury Basketball Association under a license held by BBNZ.
They formed the cornerstone of the Fern’s Beijing Olympic campaign and, in their first season, finished with a 9-15 record that included seven consecutive losses to start their schedule, a 9-2 record at Cowles Stadium and wins over every other team except eventual champions Adelaide.
But their future looked shaky when the Sirens board advised Basketball New Zealand two weeks ago that a key sponsor had withdrawn and the team could not find sufficient funding to stay in Christchurch.
The national body and Wellington Saints general manager Nick Mills began investigating prospects in the capital, but Basketball Australia, due to release the draw last week, could delay a decision no longer and delivered the bad news to Stephens earlier this week.
Several Tall Ferns had indicated their commitment to keeping the Sirens alive and must now continue their professional careers with other teams next season.
“This whole situation has been difficult and disappointing,” says Stephens. “The timing for players has been particularly unfortunate.
“Now, we must work together with sponsors, coaches, players and Basketball Australia to resurrect the Sirens for the future.”
