Australian team to play in Kiwi NBL

An Australian basketball team from Tasmania will join the New Zealand NBL next year.

The deal to include the Southern Huskies was signed off yesterday.

‘‘We’ve broken new ground with the addition of the Huskies. I believe this is the first time in New Zealand sporting history that an overseas team has joined a New Zealand owned league,’’ Iain Potter, chairman of the NBL board, said.

‘‘On many occasions we have seen New Zealand teams joining

Australian leagues, but not the other way around.’’

Southern Huskies chief executive Justin Hickey said they welcomed the opportunity to fuel the trans-Tasman rivalry.

‘‘Hitting the floor in 2019 in a league which has grown into an extremely competitive and commercially viable competition, and one that attracts quality players worldwide, is essential to our future success,’’ Hickey said.

‘‘We’ve assembled an exciting and extremely competitive team, and we’re fully committed to accessing the vast talent pool in Tasmania.

The 2019 League will see every New Zealand team travel to Hobart to play the Huskies at least once. The Huskies will travel to New Zealand and play every Kiwi club at least once also. They will play doubleheaders each time they travel.

As part of agreement for entry into the League, the Huskies will assist with the cost for New Zealand teams to travel to Tasmania to play.

Potter said that was essential as the NBL Board did not want to increase the New Zealand teams’ expenses through this move.

The eligibility rules have been adjusted.

All the teams in the League are allowed three imports. All teams in the League, including the Huskies, can have a New Zealander as a non-restricted player. The season starts on April 11.

‘‘We’re fully committed to accessing the vast talent pool in Tasmania.’’

Southern Huskies chief executive Justin Hickey