NW Thunder Chairman and Board’s reply to BTAS’s recent decision on new NBL1 license for 2026-2027

NW Thunder Media Release

On the 4th September, the NW Thunder were advised that Basketball Tasmania have not endorsed our submission for a Men’s and Women’s NBL1 license and we will no longer be competing in the NBL1 South conference from 2026 onward. It’s a monumental step backwards for basketball here in the North West but also for Tasmania. 

Basketball Tasmania, unfortunately, have failed to prioritise the most important aspect of this decision – Basketball. 

The submission and selection process conducted by Basketball Tasmania has been at best, questionable. Outside pressure led to compromised behaviours to control the outcome of the process, and achieve their own agenda – a merger.

As a whole, basketball is genuinely struggling to take steps forward in Tasmania which is evident by all the issues being faced by most clubs across the State. Sadly this comes directly from a peak body charged and funded by the government that simply isn't doing their job to protect the athletes, officials and volunteers in our sport. 

NW Thunder have found ourselves competing against Basketball Tasmania, for an endorsement from the very same entity, highlighting the conflicting nature of the selection process. We put together a submission that was financially sustainable, operationally efficient, and unequivocally supportive of our pathway athletes and coaches, ensuring they were given every resource possible to be their absolute best in their time with us. It ticked every box that was required from a basketball and financial perspective, and was rejected without any tangible feedback. 

The opportunity has been lost. A club that would be sustainable, commercially supported, with significant community backing. A club that could grow to be self-sufficient over time. A club underpinned by incredible talent pathways established by 50-year-old NWBU CAMs. A rich history of basketball in the region represented at the highest semi-professional level possible. A club providing the majority of elite pathway athletes and coaches the greatest possible access, resources and support to be their absolute best. A club servicing a region that has limited access to professional Men’s or Women’s programs now and into the future. 

This new approach will place more young athletes at risk because of increased travel, a problem that we have consistently brought forward but without any consideration from Basketball Tasmania. This concern has not been acknowledged in any way from the sports governing body that should be, without question, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of as many athletes as possible.

We are grateful for the NWBU clubs that backed our submission and gave us their unequivocal support because they could see that we had a model that was worth fighting for. To all of the presidents and their clubs as a collective NWBU group, we appreciate all you did for us and love that the heartland of Tasmanian basketball is in such good hands. 

As a club we can be proud of what we have done for junior development in the sport by providing a high-quality, accessible program with results that speak for themselves. We would’ve loved the chance to do the same for the amazing crop of emerging and very talented junior female athletes, and felt perfectly positioned to do so. 

To every athlete that has worn a Thunder jersey, all the coaches and support staff, board members, sponsors, life members and every single one of our fans that packed the stadium each home game, we say a sincere and heartfelt thank you. The love for the Thunder program and its impact in the region will not be forgotten easily, and there are hundreds of volunteers across the years that make up the DNA of this great club. We fought to keep the fabric and authenticity of our club intact. Sadly, in hindsight, this was never going to be the case.

It’s an emotional time for our group and we are shocked to be in this position but hold great appreciation for NBL1 and Basketball Victoria for allowing us to be a part of the league until this point. We have not taken the invitation to play at this level for granted and appreciate the opportunity and support. 

We urge everyone to continue to support basketball at any level you can, especially your local competitions and clubs as there is an abundance of junior talent playing our game and it’s important that those boys and girls know there are people supporting their journey in the sport. And at our level, we are keen to impact basketball in a new way moving forward.

Congratulations to the Launceston Tornadoes, the controlling entity of the newly formed Northern Tasmania Basketball Club.