NBL heads back to the Northern Territory

The National Basketball League (NBL) will return to the Northern Territory today when the Perth Wildcats fly in to their home-away-from-home in Darwin ahead of their vital Philips Championship clash against the Townsville Crocodiles at the Marrara Indoor Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Wildcats have hosted games in Darwin for the past two seasons and will return to the NT on Wednesday to re-establish their connection with the local community. During their stay in the Territory, the Wildcats will participate in a variety of community outreach programs.

On Thursday, the ‘Cats players and coaches will hold a special basketball clinic at Spectrum Stadium with local players able to participate for the cost of a gold coin donation. All proceeds from the event, which will be followed by a ‘Fun Day’ sausage sizzle in front of Marrara Indoor Stadium, will go towards Basketball NT. The team will then finish up the day with an open training session at Marrara and a clinic to help develop local coaches.

On Friday, five of the ‘Cats players will make a visit to Royal Darwin Hospital to cheer up the patients and the whole team will officially be welcomed to the NT at Parliament on Saturday night.

After the match against Townsville on Sunday, a few of the Wildcats players will get the opportunity to ‘go outback’. Three of the team will visit the remote indigenous community at Ngiu on Bathhurst Island for a look at what the real outback is all about and to provide some coaching tips to the locals.

NBL General Manager Chuck Harmison applauded the Wildcats continuing efforts to build bridges with the Northern Territory community.

“The Wildcats initiative in taking a Philips Championship game annually to Darwin is one that the NBL fully endorses,” said Harmison.

“Under Andrew Vlahov, Perth have shown themselves to have a firm long-term vision for extending their fan base as evidenced by their forays to the Northern Territory and Singapore.”

“Importantly, the Wildcats are making valuable contributions to the local people there through extensive programs of community visits and clinics rather than just turning up and putting on a show. That act of selfless giving is vital in creating a firm relationship with the people of the Northern Territory and reflects the NBL’s own belief that our teams must continue to make themselves invaluable members of the community,” Harmison added.

The Wildcats Darwin match against Townsville on Sunday is shaping as crucial to Perth’s Finals hopes. Whilst the Crocs have now been relegated to the role of spoilers after missing the top eight, Perth (currently seventh) could still potentially finish as high as fifth if they win their two remaining games and other results fall their way. A fifth-place finish would guarantee Perth the vital homecourt advantage in their first round elimination Quarter Final.

The Wildcats-Crocodiles game tips off at 2:00pm CST on Sunday. Some tickets are still available through the Action Station at SKYCITY Darwin by calling 08 8943 8777.