1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,520 Speaker 1: Some pretty exciting news over the weekend, the NBL Blitz 2 00:00:03,560 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: tournaments coming to Darwin in September for the first time. 3 00:00:06,680 --> 00:00:08,640 Speaker 1: And joining me to tell us a bit more about 4 00:00:08,680 --> 00:00:10,119 Speaker 1: it is Tim Watsford. 5 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:13,960 Speaker 2: Good morning, Tim, morning Katie. How are you very well? 6 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:16,880 Speaker 1: Tim? How exciting is this for the Northern Territory. 7 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's a coup, no doubt about it. I think 8 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:23,080 Speaker 2: we've been working with the NBL for quite a long 9 00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:25,240 Speaker 2: time now, to be honest, around a variety of initiatives 10 00:00:25,280 --> 00:00:27,880 Speaker 2: and for them to I guess come to the party 11 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:32,280 Speaker 2: and let the NT host what is their premiere preseason 12 00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:37,040 Speaker 2: Blitz all ten NBL teams over eight days. It's pretty special. 13 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:38,880 Speaker 2: It's a big thing for the big thing for the 14 00:00:38,960 --> 00:00:41,080 Speaker 2: territory and speaking to the country, to be honest. So 15 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:43,600 Speaker 2: we're going to be the first to see some effectively 16 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:47,920 Speaker 2: potentially NBA players rolling through it come September and obviously everyone. 17 00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:49,400 Speaker 2: In addition to that, there's going to be I think 18 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:52,280 Speaker 2: up to sixty teams. We're playing three on three competition 19 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 2: as well, so there's plenty of outputs on this one 20 00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 2: and it's a great get where we're pumped. 21 00:00:58,440 --> 00:01:01,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, how did you manage to how did we manage 22 00:01:01,600 --> 00:01:02,440 Speaker 1: to pick this up. 23 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 2: It's so obviously part of our job is to bring 24 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 2: events and I think we've spoken about this at link 25 00:01:08,319 --> 00:01:13,000 Speaker 2: Katie around driving community impact and economic outcomes, and we 26 00:01:13,040 --> 00:01:15,440 Speaker 2: talked to everyone. I'm not going to lie, and we've 27 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:18,080 Speaker 2: speaking to the NBL for quite some time on a 28 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:21,679 Speaker 2: few different matters, very very transparently. There's a there's a 29 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:24,720 Speaker 2: team discussion that is floating around that was also noted 30 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:26,960 Speaker 2: on the weekend. So this is a really really good 31 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 2: test case to make sure that Territorians love their basketball. 32 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 2: I'm pretty sure we do. The success of the salties 33 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 2: is kind of what elevated the discussion around us getting 34 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 2: the Blitz, and it was a match made in Evan. 35 00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:41,280 Speaker 2: We moved really quick and you had great support from 36 00:01:41,319 --> 00:01:44,679 Speaker 2: Minister Kirby and the Chief and Jeremy who's the Commissioner 37 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:47,920 Speaker 2: of the NBL to get it done and literally had 38 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:50,960 Speaker 2: it on our table probably just before Supercars and signed 39 00:01:50,960 --> 00:01:53,120 Speaker 2: off on the weekend. So yeah, we can't wait to 40 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:54,760 Speaker 2: get this get it in a couple of months time. 41 00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 1: And has there been a bit of a hiatus for 42 00:01:56,960 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 1: the camp for the competition due to COVID nineteen over 43 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 1: the last like over the last year or so. 44 00:02:03,320 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, that has This is the first time they would 45 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 2: have held the Blitz since twenty nineteen, is my understanding, 46 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:12,880 Speaker 2: And that was done the last list was in Tasmania. 47 00:02:12,919 --> 00:02:15,080 Speaker 2: And look what Tasmania has now they have their own 48 00:02:15,160 --> 00:02:18,400 Speaker 2: very owned basketball team. So if we follow suit, we 49 00:02:18,880 --> 00:02:20,399 Speaker 2: could kind of be in the box seat as well 50 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:23,600 Speaker 2: to have an initial license. But look, every sport, I 51 00:02:23,639 --> 00:02:25,480 Speaker 2: think we all know it's been a pretty challenging a 52 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 2: couple of years for sport in general. We've tried to 53 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 2: help the NBL out through the last couple of years 54 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 2: as well by hosting games. We just couldn't get there. 55 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:35,639 Speaker 2: But this is something that's going to be pretty special. 56 00:02:35,639 --> 00:02:38,919 Speaker 2: With the doors open now, hopefully everyone comes out in 57 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:41,760 Speaker 2: force and we can really have some strong discussions the 58 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:42,640 Speaker 2: NBL going forward. 59 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:46,120 Speaker 1: So what could this potentially mean, Tim, Like, you know, 60 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:48,639 Speaker 1: how possible is it for us to have our own 61 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:49,760 Speaker 1: NBL side. 62 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:54,680 Speaker 2: Look, I'll be quite frank, it's possible. Jeremy was very 63 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:58,760 Speaker 2: candid with his words on the weekend around. You know, 64 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 2: the discussions are on the table. Obviously, there's got to 65 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:03,560 Speaker 2: be a variety of factors that stack up whether that 66 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 2: be infrastructure, commercial benefits, social benefit, impacts on the community. 67 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 2: We've we've started that work, I'll be honest, and it's 68 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:13,840 Speaker 2: and it's looking good. And what this blitz will do 69 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:16,640 Speaker 2: is is really test kind of the appetite for what 70 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:19,640 Speaker 2: basketball is for the territory. Look, it's not it's not 71 00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:21,360 Speaker 2: an AFL team, it's not on an L team. It's 72 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 2: a basketball team. So we can we can run it 73 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:26,079 Speaker 2: on a bit of a centner budget, so to speak. 74 00:03:26,639 --> 00:03:30,640 Speaker 2: So look, there's everything open. And full credit to Jeremy 75 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:32,760 Speaker 2: and Larry Kisselman, who's their own are. They've been very 76 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:36,760 Speaker 2: very open their businessmen, they own, they end up privately 77 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 2: and you know they want to grow. And you know, 78 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:41,920 Speaker 2: if we're lucky enough to try and get ourselves into 79 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:43,840 Speaker 2: a position of holding a license thanking me wrong in 80 00:03:43,880 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 2: the company, are were going pretty hard trying to get on. 81 00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:48,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, but then do we have you know, do we 82 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:50,160 Speaker 1: have what we need in terms of facilities? I know 83 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:52,840 Speaker 1: that obviously we've got the courts out there at Marara. 84 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 1: Is everything up to the speed that it would need 85 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 1: to be? Yeah? 86 00:03:57,240 --> 00:03:59,040 Speaker 2: Good, pretty good question. And this this is what this 87 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:00,680 Speaker 2: will come out of. Attend to be on next fifteen 88 00:04:00,720 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 2: games over eight days. It's going to be it's going 89 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 2: to put a big significant push on Marara. Look, I'll 90 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:07,800 Speaker 2: be honest, there's there's other places around the territory that 91 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 2: we can or in either we're in Darwin that we 92 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 2: can host a team, whether that be the convention center 93 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:15,120 Speaker 2: or the entertainment center, or there's there's these areas that 94 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:17,880 Speaker 2: we can we can look at and look definitely Marra 95 00:04:18,520 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 2: Netball Stadium and the basketball center there will be elite 96 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:26,000 Speaker 2: training facilities. We know that. So we've definitely got the 97 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:28,960 Speaker 2: facilities to train. Now it's what what can we do? 98 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 2: You know, there's a there's a waterfront redevelopment getting played 99 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:33,960 Speaker 2: around with the moment that potentially might get wrapped into 100 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:38,440 Speaker 2: what possibly could look at a converted convention center. Basketball 101 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:40,720 Speaker 2: Right around the country players in convention centers, So there's 102 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:42,680 Speaker 2: no reason why we can't look at that as a space. 103 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:45,240 Speaker 2: But we'll cross those we'll cross those bridges when we 104 00:04:45,279 --> 00:04:46,880 Speaker 2: come to my suppose and we can make sure that 105 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 2: we can get everything to really stack up. And it 106 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:51,800 Speaker 2: needs to be probably the most important part for everyone. 107 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:54,160 Speaker 2: It needs to be sustainable. So we want to make 108 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:56,360 Speaker 2: sure that if a team were to come to the 109 00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:58,520 Speaker 2: territory in the future, it's got to be for the 110 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:01,279 Speaker 2: long term. So look that it's very very early stages 111 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 2: to start talking about that, but obviously here my excitement 112 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 2: that is something if you pull something like that off, 113 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 2: that's that's pretty special. 114 00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 1: To be bloody amazing for the Northern Territory, but also 115 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:13,040 Speaker 1: amazing for you know, for our young local players as well. 116 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:15,720 Speaker 1: And I think that even the Salties have been that too. 117 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, it is, and I think as part of the 118 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 2: part of the reason where we're well, I think we're 119 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:24,279 Speaker 2: so primed to have a successful team. It's it's the 120 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:26,120 Speaker 2: genius and we've seen that through kind of coming through 121 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:29,120 Speaker 2: the Salties program. I'm also going to state we've got 122 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:31,920 Speaker 2: a brilliant indigenous program that we can push through, and 123 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:35,479 Speaker 2: our access into Southeast Asia from an exposure point makes 124 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:38,520 Speaker 2: us a pretty pretty unique offering for a basketball team 125 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:40,600 Speaker 2: and elite content. Now, there was a there was a 126 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:43,719 Speaker 2: Filipino player I think that got drafted to the Adelaide 127 00:05:43,720 --> 00:05:46,479 Speaker 2: thirty sixers and is literally shooting the lights out from 128 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:50,040 Speaker 2: his engagement perspective across all channels. So look where you 129 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:52,280 Speaker 2: know where stones are away from from activating Asia for 130 00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:55,159 Speaker 2: the NBL. So there's a very very very healthy offering 131 00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:57,680 Speaker 2: for the territory if we can capitalize on that. Yeah, 132 00:05:57,800 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 2: but what it does for the community and we own 133 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:02,640 Speaker 2: a team, like, how can will that be? We have 134 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:05,800 Speaker 2: teams that have come in with that, theafl L, even 135 00:06:05,839 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 2: Basketball and AOUS, all those kind of teams have come 136 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:12,000 Speaker 2: in through the past and played games, and we're obviously 137 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:15,359 Speaker 2: incredibly proud of our partnership with those clubs. But with 138 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:18,920 Speaker 2: the opportunity potentially own one of our own, that provides 139 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:21,360 Speaker 2: an amazing amount of opportunity for the guys coming through. 140 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:24,839 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, it certainly sounds like an amazing opportunity. So 141 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:27,880 Speaker 1: all ten NBL teams are going to be converging in 142 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:31,440 Speaker 1: one location here in Darwin. What does that event schedule 143 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:31,919 Speaker 1: look like? 144 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 2: Good? Yeah, good question. It is moving fast. It's mid September, 145 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:39,839 Speaker 2: so we're kind of aiming around that fifteenth of September mark. 146 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:42,400 Speaker 2: It's that MBL are great at what they do. They're 147 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:45,520 Speaker 2: driving the operational parts of these elements and we'll work 148 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:47,560 Speaker 2: with them now in the next couple of weeks to 149 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:50,640 Speaker 2: try and get tickets on sale all the programming community elements. 150 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:51,960 Speaker 2: They've said on the weekend they want to do some 151 00:06:51,960 --> 00:06:54,360 Speaker 2: stuff in Allie Springs as well. We'll try and get 152 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:56,799 Speaker 2: that done kind of like closer to the end of July. 153 00:06:57,320 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 2: All locked and loaded, ready to go, kind of six out. 154 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:03,839 Speaker 2: But it is pretty special, and you have to reiterate that. 155 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:06,920 Speaker 2: It's it's not it's not Grade two teams that are coming. 156 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:09,520 Speaker 2: It's it's a number one elite basketball player that you 157 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:12,200 Speaker 2: know might be might be drafted to the NBA. You know, 158 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 2: we've got a consultings that play in the NBA as well, 159 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 2: so we'll have played in the NBA. So there's going 160 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:19,720 Speaker 2: to be some significant basketball being played, which is which 161 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:21,920 Speaker 2: is really really cool. So I'll be taking over the 162 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:24,240 Speaker 2: town in September. It's it's going to be fun to watch. 163 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:26,760 Speaker 1: Now from an economy sort of perspective as well, I 164 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:30,040 Speaker 1: mean ten teams coming to the Northern Territory and then 165 00:07:30,240 --> 00:07:33,760 Speaker 1: presumably their support staff, they're coaching staff, they're entourage that 166 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:36,520 Speaker 1: travels as well. I would imagine that it's a bit 167 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:39,080 Speaker 1: of a boost as well for the Northern Territory economy 168 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:41,559 Speaker 1: at a time when things do tend to start slowing down. 169 00:07:42,440 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely, And I think in just in addition to 170 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:46,640 Speaker 2: those teams KDE, if the invitation goes out with a 171 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:49,080 Speaker 2: three on three and got another sixty potential three on 172 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:52,280 Speaker 2: three teams and support staff coming, it's even at the 173 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:55,240 Speaker 2: event alone is going to be a significant boost. But 174 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 2: to be quite frank on on Saturday morning, I'm getting 175 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:02,520 Speaker 2: texts from team membership based in particular the Wildcat I 176 00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 2: want to send a party of members to come and 177 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:07,880 Speaker 2: support it. So you know, there's there's ten times membership 178 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:09,920 Speaker 2: team membership bases that want to come up and support 179 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:12,120 Speaker 2: their team as well. So this is a huge This 180 00:08:12,160 --> 00:08:15,120 Speaker 2: is a huge shotting when I guess it is our shoulder. Yeah, 181 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:17,800 Speaker 2: September is still pretty busy, not gonna lie, but look 182 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:20,040 Speaker 2: at this starting to come off from a pretty pretty 183 00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 2: pretty hectic dry season, so there's going to be plenty 184 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:24,440 Speaker 2: people in around town on the back of this. So 185 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 2: it's it's a really really really good event. And I 186 00:08:27,160 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 2: think the length of the length of stays amazing as well, 187 00:08:29,720 --> 00:08:32,720 Speaker 2: eight days is phenomenal, so they're going to be around 188 00:08:32,800 --> 00:08:33,520 Speaker 2: for quite some time. 189 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:37,040 Speaker 1: Awesome stuff. Well, it does sound incredibly exciting for the 190 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:41,360 Speaker 1: Northern Territory and in particular us here in Darwin. Tim Watsford, 191 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 1: it is always good to catch up with your mate. 192 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:45,719 Speaker 1: Territory day went off without a hitch as well, pardon the. 193 00:08:45,679 --> 00:08:49,640 Speaker 2: Pun, Yeah it did. It did the pleasure of rattling 194 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:52,319 Speaker 2: my teeth through Alice bringing about four degrees. But Chunky 195 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 2: Custer and let off some crackers and the guard that 196 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:57,560 Speaker 2: great right across right across the territory. So yeah, we're 197 00:08:57,559 --> 00:09:00,440 Speaker 2: another one down, the other one down, Cadie, wonderful. 198 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:01,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, you've still got a bit to go for the 199 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:04,240 Speaker 1: rest of the year though, always busy for you guys 200 00:09:04,240 --> 00:09:07,559 Speaker 1: at major events, no doubt about it. Tim Wat's for 201 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:09,640 Speaker 1: good to speak with you this morning. Thanks so much 202 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:10,160 Speaker 1: for your time. 203 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 2: Good Una, Katie, thank you.