| Southland Sharks | ||||
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| Leagues | New Zealand NBL | |||
| Founded | 2009 | |||
| History | Southland Sharks 2010-present |
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| Arena | Stadium Southland (Capacity: 4,500) |
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| Location | Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand | |||
| Team colors | Orange Dark Blue Maroon Gold |
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| President | Jill Bolger | |||
| Vice-president(s) | Murray Heath | |||
| Head coach | Richard Dickel | |||
| Championships | 0 | |||
| Website | SharksBasketball.co.nz | |||
| Uniforms | ||||
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The Southland Sharks are a professional basketball team based in the Southland region in the New Zealand National Basketball League.
The team plays their home games at Invercargill's Stadium Southland where 3,000 of the 4,500 seats are made available for regular season games.
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The Southland Sharks began as a Conference Basketball League side (New Zealand's second tier competition) in the early 1990s. After finishing second in 2002 the Sharks side was promoted to the NZNBL but due to financial restraints folded completely.
It was not until 2008 when the Southland Basketball Association re-established itself as a national basketball threat. A reformed local team the ‘’Southland Flyers’’ represented the region at the national division two tournament. In 2009 the Southland side containing Tall Blacks greats Brendon Pongia and Ed Book as well as 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) rugby star Joe Tuineau and coached by former NZNBL player Richard Dickel won the national tournament.
The Association’s success at the national tournament provided strong foundation for a worthy New Zealand National Basketball League franchise license.
On December 22, 2009, the Southland Basketball Association received a three year license to enter the countries premier basketball competition becoming the regions third professional sports team after the Ranfurly Shield holders the Southland Stags Rugby union side and the Southern Steel netball team.
Several high profile officials criticized New Zealand Basketball’s decision including Waikato Pistons CEO who believed the NZNBL should be downsizing to eight teams rather than including additional teams and the Sharks side would not win a game. Davey later said the reason for his statements was nobody would want to live in Invercargill due to the cold climate and lack of activities therefore the Sharks would not attract quality local players or imports.
After confirming Dickel as the coach the Southlanders set out trying to prove Davey wrong making a splash in the off-season signing many high profile players. The first of which was 28 year-old former Australian Boomers and current Wollongong Hawks point guard Luke Martin who signed for two seasons.[1] The Christchurch Cougars lost reliable 2.05 m (6 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Forward-Centre Gareth Dawson to the Sharks and Conference Basketball League Shooting guard Ian Cathcart signed on with the Sharks also becoming a local Development Officer. Former New Mexico State Aggies Centre Martin Iti[2] became a coup signing for the Sharks after the Australian-born American citizen carried a New Zealand passport which enabled him to be signed as a local player. The Sharks began to sign current New Zealand National Basketball League players like Otago Nuggets combo guard Pete Burgess, Australian-born Harbour Heat sharp shooter Daniel Munday[3] and veteran big man James Paringatai.[4]
After talk that the Sharks could not sign quality players, their recruitment process would be considered as a success if they could attract two decent imports. The first announced import was UNLV Runnin' Rebels Swingman René Rougeau who was a star performer in his four years at the college.[5] The Sharks struggled in their search for a second import, they in the end settled for Mike Rose a former leading scorer for Eastern Kentucky University.[6] After disappointingly going undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft after some analysis shows predicted he would go in the late first round, Rose only signed for one month keeping his options open for the rest of 2010. The Sharks then completed their roster signing Invercargill based players Paratene McLeod,[7] Bubba Lau'ese,[8] Izaac Williams[9] and Andrew Wheeler.
The Southland Sharks participated in the Southern Showcase Tournament involving all the South Island National Basketball League teams. They had mixed results after a week together, beating the Nelson Giants 70-65 and losing to the Christchurch Cougars 80-82 in overtime. They also lost by one point to the Otago Nuggets 74-75.
After the preseason the Sharks journeyed back to Invercargill where they were joined by American imports René Rouegau and Mike Rose to prepare for their first regular season game against the Bay Hawks. They were without Captain and star Point guard Luke Martin who was still with his ANBL side the Wollongong Hawks.
In their first ever New Zealand National Basketball League on March 6, 2010, at Stadium Southland, the Sharks faced the Bay Hawks in front of 1,500 fans. The Sharks unveiled their bright orange home uniform matching main sponsors the SIT's trademark colours. Their starters Martin Iti, James Paringatai, René Rougeau, Mike Rose and Daniel Munday all put up strong performances with Munday scoring the first basket in the history of the franchise and two imports Rose and Rougeau starring. After 40 minutes the teams could not be separated with the scores locked at 84-all. After an overtime run the Hawks were the winners 105-90.[10]
Losing their next game away from home to the Harbour Heat at the North Shore Events Centre 96-82,[11] the Sharks looked for revenge against first up opponents Hawke's Bay. Once again on the back of tremendous performances from imports Rose and Rougeau the Sharks achieved their first ever win.[12] After their first win they were bought back down to earth thrashed by 44 points by the Wellington Saints.
They continued their up and down form winning against the Christchurch Cougars before losing to the Taranaki Mountainairs0. They then came home where they achieved their first success at Stadium Southland winning 85-79 against the Christchurch Cougars. After losing to Nelson they went back to back against the Otago Nuggets winning the Invercargill Licensing Trust Challenge Shield which is contested every time the two sides meet. Mike Helms replaced Rose as the Sharks import after Rose returned to Chicago, Illinois
They then started a four match home game streak selling out three of them. They lost to the Waikato Pistons and Wellington Saints before beating the Manawatu Jets and Harbour Heat. They left them self in a good position to reach the playoffs for the first time in their first season only needing to win two of four away games to end the 2010 New Zealand NBL season.
Their away trip began with the Sharks losing in overtime to the second place Waikato Pistons at Hamilton Boys' High School. They then came one win closer to the playoffs with a win against the Taranaki Mountainairs with René Rougeau grabbing another double-double with 32 points and 10 rebounds. A loss to the Nelson Giants saw the Sharks needing to beat the lowly Manawatu Jets looking to spoil the Sharks party. They couldn't however with Rougeau scoring 25 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, it was just out of reach for the Mountainairs with the Sharks victorious 96-88. With the win sealing a playoff spot for the Sharks.
The Sharks have announced the re-signings of Gareth Dawson, James Paringatai, Ian Cathcart and Paratene McLeod for the 2011 season. They have also picked up Christchurch-based guard Sam Dobbs and local talent Tim Campbell.
The Sharks have since confirmed they have lured former Tall Blacks point guard Mark Dickel home for the 2011 season, with the goal to re-make the Tall Blacks. Dickel will play under his brother Richard who will return as head coach.
Former Tall Blacks small forward Brendon Polyblank has also signed with the team for 2011 making the Sharks a serious contender for the title.
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Head Coach
Assistant Coach
General Manager
Manager
Video Analyst
Trainer
Physiotherapist
Southland Sharks game highlights and player interviews are broadcast weekly on Invercargill-based television channel Cue TV. The Southland Times newspaper also feature Sharks content daily including a blog written by head coach Richard Dickel, game day coverage and advertisements.
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