B-BALL MAD BILLY’S NEW BOUNCE IN HIS STEP

High-profile Gold Coast businessman Billy Cross has gone from The Star to a ‘basket case’ by putting his money, and passion, behind the city’s premier basketball brand

WE have been more used to seeing Billy Cross in a snappy suit welcoming guests to his swanky Nineteen rooftop bar at The Star of late.

But from next weekend, expect to see the city entertainment guru courtside at Gold Coast Rollers basketball team games.

His Cross Promotions signed on last season to help the Queensland Basketball League team drive sponsorship, marketing and fundraising.

Basketball-mad Cross, pictured above with Gold Coast Rollers players and coaching staff at TSS this week, tells ATG his two teenage sons play and he has come to love the game.

“I’ve become a fan just watching NBA and NBL in Australia, watching my kids play, and going ‘this sport has got a lot of appeal’. It’s a real high-energy sport, it got me excited.

“Basketball is one of the fastestgrowing sports through schools. Through our community involvement we are trying to create this competitive team and a strong team to create pathways for youth.

“We have to get out there and raise money — between the people I know and getting the right corporations on board to getting the council support. You can’t have good players without financial backing. I’ve put in my own money too.”

You can join Cross courtside at TSS in Southport next Sunday, April 29, for the Gold Coast Rollers opening match from 4pm. The women’s match is at 2pm.

The Rollers home court will then be out at Carrara after the first round.

Cross adds he’ll be there every game in his green and grey team colours: “I’ll be that loud one screaming at the ref.”