Latest news with #CraigHutchison
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Dunedin collective to take ownership of teams
Mystery group to the rescue. After weeks of uncertainty, there is positive news for the Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho. In a statement released yesterday by the New Zealand National Basketball League, Sports Entertainment Group (SEN) says it intends to transfer ownership of the Nuggets and Hoiho "into the hands of a passionate collective of local Dunedin community supporters". It did not go further into the ownership structure or who was behind the passionate collective. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of next month. SEN's Australian sponsorship team will continue to support both teams through to September 2028, the statement said. General manager of the Nuggets and Hoiho Angela Ruske said it was "incredibly good news for basketball in Otago". "The Nuggets and Hoiho are more than just teams — they bring our community together through high-energy entertainment, inspire our youth, and create meaningful pathways for local players, coaches, and officials. They also contribute economically by drawing supporters and teams from around the country to Dunedin. "SEN has done a very good job in laying the foundation, and there's a real sense of passion and purpose to build on that legacy and take both teams to new heights. "Having local ownership brings a deeper connection and commitment to our region," she said. In the statement, SEN chief executive Craig Hutchison said his organisation was pleased to be able to provide some certainty for the clubs' players, staff, stakeholders and fans. "We flagged that our aim was to sell the teams to leaders motivated to maintain and grow them within the Otago region — a region that loves its basketball and takes great pride in its national teams, backed by an amazing and passionate fan base. "We believe both clubs are in the perfect hands, with strong local support and a deep understanding of what these teams mean to the community." Transfer of the ownership is subject to approval by the NBL's commission. — APL
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
New Era For Otago Nuggets, Southern Hoiho, Driven By Local Leadership
Sports Entertainment Group (operating as Sports Entertainment Network - SEN) is pleased to announce it has signed a Term Sheet to transfer ownership of the Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho to the hands of a passionate collective of local Dunedin community supporters. The transaction is expected to be completed by 31 July 2025, with SEN's Australian sponsorship sales team continuing to support both teams through to September 2028. This move marks a major milestone for basketball in the South, with the teams now backed by those who know and love the region best. Rooted in community values, the new leadership brings a strong commitment to local engagement, long-term sustainability, and continued success on the national stage. Craig Hutchison, CEO of SEN, said his organisation was pleased to be able to provide some certainty to the future of the clubs for their players, staff, stakeholders and fans. 'We are delighted to hand over the long-term future of the Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho to a locally-led group who are the perfect point guards for the continued success of both teams. 'We flagged that our aim was to sell the teams to leaders motivated to maintain and grow them within the Otago region—a region that loves its basketball and takes great pride in its national teams, backed by an amazing and passionate fan base. 'We believe both clubs are in the perfect hands, with strong local support and a deep understanding of what these teams mean to the community. 'As owners, we were proud to share in many successes in Dunedin, including the 2022 New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) Championship for the Nuggets. 'We are excited to continue supporting both clubs as the sponsorship agency for the Australian region and look forward to cheering on the Hoiho and Nuggets as they move into a whole new era.' With the pride of Otago behind them, both the Nuggets and Hoiho are poised to grow stronger than ever, inspiring the next generation of basketball talent and continuing to unite fans across the region. Current General Manager of the Nuggets and Hoiho, Angela Ruske, said she was buoyed by the news the teams would be remaining at home in Dunedin. 'This is incredibly good news for basketball in Otago. The Nuggets and Hoiho are more than just teams - they bring our community together through high-energy entertainment, inspire our youth, and create meaningful pathways for local players, coaches and officials. They also contribute economically by drawing supporters and teams from around the country to Dunedin. 'SEN has done a very good job in laying the foundation, and there's a real sense of passion and purpose to build on that legacy and take both teams to new heights. Having local ownership brings a deeper connection and commitment to our region, and I'm really looking forward to what the future holds.' Maree Taylor, Basketball New Zealand 's General Manager of Leagues, overseeing the Sal's NBL, G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi and Sky Broadband Rapid League competitions, also welcomed the transition. 'We fully support the transfer of the Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho to local leadership. Community-based ownership is a vital part of each League's success, and we're confident that the new owners will bring renewed energy and long-term stability to both franchises. 'We thank SEN for their significant contribution to the growth of basketball in the South Island, and look forward to continuing with the momentum with the new team behind the clubs.' The transfer of license is now subject to approval by the NBL Commission at an upcoming scheduled Commission meeting.
ABC News
6 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Tasmania building strong case to join Super Netball competition as AFL expansion chances hang in the balance
The future of Tasmania's AFL club may be in doubt as the proposed Macquarie Point stadium is used as a pawn in the state's ongoing political stoush. But there's a campaign building for another sports team the Apple Isle could throw its support behind that won't rely on new infrastructure being built. For several years, Netball Tasmania has been vocal about its desire to join the Super Netball league. When the Collingwood Magpies were disbanded at the end of the 2023 season, they left a hole that had to be filled in order for the elite domestic competition to fulfil its broadcast deal. Netball Tasmania, Netball ACT and the Gold Coast Titans all expressed their interest in the spot, before each party pulled out of the race due to time pressures. Ultimately, the eighth licence was awarded to Craig Hutchison's media company SEN and the Melbourne Mavericks were born. The process opened a can of worms about expansion, as people started to speculate what might be possible beyond 2026 when the league's current partnership with Fox Netball ends. Netball Australia says it is exploring all possibilities when it comes to expansion — whether that be incorporating more Australian or New Zealand teams. Here is the case for Super Netball to expand into Tasmania in the coming years. Although Netball Tasmania wasn't quite ready two years ago to enter the league, the conversations had around that time made the member organisation aware of the kinds of things they needed to put in place for the next opportunity. Similarly to what Hawthorn and North Melbourne have done in the AFL over the last decade, Collingwood had a Super Netball agreement in place with Tasmania to take one of their home games per season to the state. Games would be played at either at the Silverdome in Launceston (capacity 3,255) or the Derwent Entertainment Centre in Hobart (capacity 4,500). That tradition has now been carried on by the Mavericks. At their round six game against the Queensland Firebirds in Hobart, the official crowd was 2,857 and it's expected this number would grow if Tasmanians had their own team to barrack for. These two stadiums offer more seating than the Sunshine Coast Lightning currently have at their home venue, so they'd be the perfect size for a start-up Tasmanian side. Additionally, due to the fact that the Tasmanian Wild already exist as a team in the Super Netball Reserves competition, the existing club infrastructure means a Tasmanian Super Netball team would be less expensive to establish and would save taxpayers money. Tasmania has increased its netball participation base by 10 per cent over the last two years, taking its total number in 2024 to just shy of 10,000. Although it may have a much smaller pool of athletes than other member organisations around the country, the state punches above its weight. Five Tasmanian players were selected in this year's Australian under-17 and under-19 squads. "I believe it would be a really compelling proposition to have our whole state united for a female-led sport," Netball Tasmania CEO Mitch Coulson told ABC Sport. "Tasmania is well and truly on the radar of other sports so we want to make sure netball can grab a piece of that and that we stand our ground. "The reality is yes, we have a smaller participation base, but I think everyone here has a strong resolve to prove that we can produce athletes as good as anyone else. "They work so hard — if not harder — to push themselves to a standard that gets them noticed, but the big question beyond that is still, where does that lead?" Currently there are 10 full-time playing contracts for each of Super Netball's eight teams. There is also an extra six-month full-time contract for an 11th player on offer and roughly four training partner contracts per club. When you compare that ratio with netball's one million participants nationwide, it is clear just how difficult it is to break through to the top. Coulson said Tasmania would therefore be open to signing a Super Netball roster that blends talent from their state and elsewhere. Funding of course is a big factor, but the member organisation is already in discussions about obtaining that cash and is also considering private equity stakes and ownership. "For the size of its participation, the number of professional netball contracts is extremely disproportionate compared to other codes, and to attract the best female athletes, we argue a team here would also be beneficial for the broader game," Coulson said. "We believe we've earned it … We've had multiple years with growth in participation and there's lots of other codes making noise down here, so it's an interesting time for Tasmanian sport." The Tasmanian Wild will compete at the upcoming Super Netball Reserves play-in tournament and extended finals weekend that takes place from June 16-22. Super Netball Reserves is in its second season and runs across seven rounds as a tier two competition, contested by eight academy teams aligned with the Super Netball clubs. Tasmania, ACT and the Northern Territory have only been invited to the back end of the tournament and will play each other once to determine how they will be ranked for the finals weekend against the Reserves sides. This format will replace the Australian Netball Championships this year as the governing body reassesses its pathway offering. As a result, the three state-based sides have less opportunity to play. Coulson is pushing for Tasmania to be incorporated for the full tournament next year. "Although the bigger dream is to get into the fully fledged Super Netball competition, our addition to the Reserves format would serve as an ideal launching pad," he said. In the meantime, another step Netball Tasmania took this year was to form an alliance with Netball South Australia. This, they hoped, would create a pathway for their athletes to the top level as they work towards their own Super Netball team. Two athletes who have been picked up already include Ellie Marshall and Charlotte Walker, who have been playing for the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Super Netball Reserves. Walker has already had a stellar year. She was signed as a training partner to the senior side of the two-time premiership winning club and made the Australian under-19 squad after an impressive campaign at nationals. At the Thunderbirds, she has been learning from the very best. Australian under-21 head coach Cathy Fellows is an assistant there and Walker was also training alongside star Jamaican duo Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson in the lead-up to the season. Walker is now in the frame for selection for the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup. "Unfortunately, Tasmania doesn't have its own Super Netball environment, so this step up in another state has been huge for me," Walker told ABC Sport. "I've been getting advice from some of the best defenders in the world — they've taught me how much I can contest outside the circle, that's really opened my eyes — and I've been practising against some of the best shooters in the league too. "Growing up I never imagined in a million years that I could get picked as a training partner, so I think if our state had a team, it wouldn't seem so out of reach. "Until then, I can't see anything wrong with being friendly with every state and trying to create more of these partnerships, because it opens up more opportunity. "Even having a Tasmanian Reserves side would also offer us that higher competition as well."
