IT’S D-DAY: DERBY DAY
A BIG brother versus little brother mentality will ensure a fiery opening chapter to the Queensland Basketball League’s Gold Coast derby at Runaway Bay Indoor Sports Stadium tonight.
With the North Gold Coast Seahawks joining the QBL for the first time this season, the fixtures local fans have been crying out for will arrive when the Gold Coast Rollers’ women (5.30pm) and men (7.30pm) make the short trip north.
The clubs’ fortunes have varied over the opening nine rounds, with the Seahawks’ women (seventh) impressing on debut as the men (15th) continue the search for their first victory.
For the Rollers, the men (10th) have flown the club flag after finding form against Rockhampton and Mackay last weekend, while the women (13th) have struggled for offensive impact.
However, Rollers general manager Joel McInnes said form would go out the window in the first all-Coast clashes.
“It’s fantastic to have a game of this quality, it’s a boon for the city. It’s pretty cool,” McInnes said.
“(The derby) will definitely stoke the fires of the Seahawks crowd, which will be great. Their men haven’t won a game but if there’s any game they should be up for it will be this one.
“I expect the Seahawks to be throwing the kitchen sink at us. There’s definitely that big brother, little brother perception because the Gold Coast association is about twice the size of North Gold Coast.”
McInnes said having two clubs in the QBL underlined the growing strength of basketball on the Glitter Strip.
“What it reflects is that both associations on the Gold Coast have had a significant increase in membership numbers. Because of that, now we’re able to support two QBL teams.
“The resurgence of basketball is really coming through. From a grassroots standpoint, in boys’ especially, basketball is just going bananas.”