Charger calls for boost in funding

HOBART Chargers coach Anthony Stewart has called on the State Government to pump more funding into basketball facilities across southern Tasmania, citing concerns around court space for junior teams.

Stewart’s call follows Michael Hussey’s internal review into Cricket Tasmania recommending facilities be improved across the state, including the need for a second Hobart facility along with Blundstone Arena.

The Chargers call the Derwent Entertainment Centre home after an upgrade to the court by the Glenorchy City Council. Previously, they played at the Hobart Netball and Sports Stadium for more than 10 years.

But Stewart called for more government funding into facilities in southern Tasmania, particularly grassroots basketball, before today’s State Budget release.

“This is not a one-year problem [for basketball], this has been a 20-year problem,” he said. “I’m sure the Government understands that and are doing the best they can.

“One way or another, facilities are in real need. Our grassroots basketball, we’re just overflowing. We’re turning teams away now from the sport at junior level because we don’t have the court space.

“I’m sure this Government will see that and we’ve spoken about it and hopefully it’ll get fixed.” HOBART takes on secondplaced Eastern Conference side Nunawading at the DEC tomorrow night.

The Chargers are coming off a 117-82 defeat of SEABL championship contender Dandenong and are top of the Southern Conference table with eight wins from 10 games.

The Spectres are also in fine form, having won 10 out of 12.

Stewart said his side’s biggest weakness was rebounding.

“We’ll try and knock down [three-pointers] like we did last week and if we catch fire, then I think everyone saw what we could do last week,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s any team that can stop us on our night. We take a lot of confidence in but the team coming in has a better record than us.”

Tip off is at 8pm while the women’s team take on Nunawading at 6pm.