Basketball bouncing ahead in Western Bay

There was a great atmosphere at ASB Arena for the NZ Breakers v Adelaide Bullets pre-season game last September. Photo/File

ASB Arena at Baypark continues to attract top-class events that not only benefit indoor sporting groups but the wider Western Bay economy.

Tauranga may lack a winter outdoor sports stadium, but the ASB Arena is regarded as one of New Zealand's premier indoor stadiums for basketball and netball.

This week Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) gave Tauranga City Basketball hosting rights to the National Basketball League's 2017 Final Four for the first time, despite not yet having a franchise in the top league.

The NZ NBL Final Four semifinals and finals will be played over the weekend of Friday and Saturday, June 16-17.

The decision is another positive for Tauranga City Basketball, with the game booming so quickly in the Western Bay there is now a shortage of suitable venues to host the secondary schools' competitions.

Tauranga City Basketball general manager Mark Rogers is delighted the NBL finals are coming to Tauranga.

He said this was a reward for all the excellent work hosting many top-class tournaments in recent years.

"This is another step for us. We have a track record now of delivering quality basketball events. We have growth in our local basketball community which helps with the certainty around support for events," Rogers said.

A combination of outstanding facilities and top-class tournament event experience swayed the decision to host the finals in Tauranga.

"Those factors are very important to [BBNZ], knowing what we can deliver, knowing we have world-class facilities. We still get visitors from overseas every year that are amazed at the quality of the facility we have," Rogers said.

"We are very lucky that council has the vision to build the ASB Arena. The support we have had from previous events from the local community in spectator numbers has given BBNZ some comfort in the decision they have made."

Rogers said giving Tauranga the finals weekend was also part of their vision to grow the NBL in New Zealand.

"It is a test for them as well to see how much interest there is outside of the main centres or those that have established NBL franchises.

"That is also part of the challenge for us to make sure we do get the community support behind the event and make it the spectacle we think it can be."

NZ NBL chairman Iain Potter welcomed Tauranga as the venue.

"One of the strengths of the NBL across the country is the incredible support teams receive and while Tauranga has put a bid in for a team in 2018 onwards, it is not the basis for the 2017 finals destination," he said.

"Tauranga have been very fortunate to have held previously successful basketball events in the region with the Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns and NZ Breakers and are delighted to be able to showcase now the top four NBL teams.

"It's shaping up to be a fantastic weekend and opportunity for the city."

All games will be livestreamed via www.basketballtv.co.nz. Tickets available through Ticketek from Monday.