Thursday 12 July 2007

TASMANIA ATTRACTS WOMEN'S NATIONAL LEAGUE BASKETBALL
The Minister for Community Development, Michelle O’Byrne, today announced that Tasmania would be hosting Women's National Basketball League games over the next three years.

"The Dandenong Rangers, from one of the largest basketball associations in Victoria, will play five official summer season roster home games in Tasmania over that time,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“Tasmanian basketball fans, and the community as a whole, will be able to enjoy top-level basketball across the State.

“The first game will be played in Launceston in October this year, with additional games to be played in Launceston and Hobart in 2008, and Launceston and Devonport in 2009.

“The addition of Women's National Basketball League games will add a vital dimension to the growing Tasmanian event calendar joining football, soccer, netball, cycling, triathlons, rugby and women’s cricket competitions,” Ms O’Byrne said.

"They will provide a real boost for basketball at the State level, local communities, the Tasmanian Tourism industry and the Tasmanian economy.”

Ms O’Byrne said the agreement would complement the State’s destination marketing campaign and further position Tasmania as a compelling holiday destination with cooperative marketing, website links, venue signs, program advertising and destination promotion and packaging through membership database distributions.

“This addition of the basketball games to the event calendar will provide a real boost for local communities, the Tasmanian tourism industry and the Tasmanian economy.

“As well as generating travel by Tasmanians within the State, the agreement with the Dandenong Basketball Association will showcase Tasmania to the Melbourne basketball community.”

Dandenong Basketball is one of the largest basketball associations in Victoria with 369 senior teams and 398 junior teams playing each week, and a club membership of 7,500.

For further information contact Tourism Tasmania's Communications Unit

(03) 6230 8244
email mediainfo@tourism.tas.gov.au