Jets set for NBL season

Following a lengthy application process the Manawatu Jets are locked into the National Basketball League for another three years.

The NBL officially reached an agreement with the board of Basketball New Zealand recently to run the competition for another three years and the Jets fit into their plans after the latest licences expired at the end of this season.

Expansion was on their mind and the NBL has been beefed up with the inclusion of Southland. They missed out after applying for a licence in 2002, and the re-entry of the Otago Nuggets following a one-year absence.There are now 11 teams for next year after nine competed this season.

Sport Manawatu commercial manager Troy Thurston said the Jets were never really in doubt of being accepted back into the league again.

"They wanted each team to submit an application to determine where your franchise is at," he said.

"The bid basically entailed what your general marketing plan would look like and what your stadium would look like. For us the plan didn't change much really.

"We were actually one of the stronger applications from the feedback we received."

The expanded league means at least one more home game for the Jets next season. More teams also creates greater national appeal and the Manawatu Standard understands there could be extended television coverage next season, as opposed to the past two years when just the finals were shown on Sky.

Thurston said the money stocks should be fine for the Jets.

"We've had pretty strong signals from some of our major sponsors for the coming season."

Now the application has been ticked off, the Jets will look to secure a new gear sponsor after they mutually parted ways with Kooga.

The search for players will also get under way. Import Jamil Terrell is still in town but has yet to put pen to paper for next year.

"We are obviously interested in talking to some of the players we had last year," Thurston said.

"We haven't signed anyone as yet."

Manawatu had a strong core of experienced players this year. But they were often let down by having an inexperienced bench which did not provide the support the team needed as they finished eighth of nine with a four-win and 12-loss record.

NBL chairman Sam Rossiter-Stead said the expansion of the league was exciting.

"We're very pleased to see the return of Otago to the NBL and also the addition of a new team from Southland increasing the number of franchises on the South Island to four," he said.

NBL teams for 2010: Auckland Stars, Bay Hawks, Christchurch Cougars, Harbour Heat, Manawatu Jets, Nelson Giants, Otago Nuggets, Southland, Taranaki Dynamos, Waikato Pistons and Wellington Saints.