Basketball Tasmania will invite North West Thunder, Launceston Tornadoes and Hobart Chargers to join in a newly extended State League season that appears set to benefit from governments gradually lifting coronavirus restrictions on sport.
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The proposed season that wants to double the number of games and shift forward from October and November will buck the trend of most other sports that are forced to shrink draws by around half.
A rejuvenated home and away concept has Basketball Tasmania chief executive Chris McCoy thrilled for a "prominent" competition.
"We have floated it before, but we would love to invite NBL1 clubs to play a team, especially if it's their development team, to keep young local players sharp," he said.
"We just have to work how that works with their club teams and if it affects them."
McCoy believes the league will be its strongest in years.
"The players will be starved of having not played by then and a number will be really enthusiastic around getting back out playing," he said.
The hiatus will test out the mettle of some of the region's defending champions.
Hillwood NTFA premiership coach Nathan Lowe is unsure how ruthless his side can be months off the track.
"We'll be happy just to get back our training. There's a bit of competition with our boys at the minute doing a weekly program," Lowe said.
"But just getting out there and just getting around one and another mentally is the greatest thing for them."
The state government has set July 13 as a target date to resume sports that involve more than 20 persons.
Lowe said the mindset of players could be dampened by any further complications.
"I'm just glad that we have got an answer to what we want to go out to do," he said.
"I know the NTFA put out May 31 to consider starting, but it all depends on whether the season can go ahead."
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
Resurgent Devonport City coach Chris Gallo said his charges have been "just itching to go for months" to play.
The Strikers have claimed three of the past four NPL Tasmania soccer titles before preseason was interrupted when new coach Suraj Pillai was sacked in favour of their 2018 premiership gaffer.
"It's not ideal, but at the same token it's going to be roughly a 14-week season. So four or so weeks is enough time to get them sorted in a sense, I think," Gallo said.
Gallo has been told Football Tasmania is negotiating on groups of up to 10 players gathering together later this month under the AIS framework for rebooting sport should authorities approve.
"From our psychological point of view, sticking together, even if its in small groups, would be fantastic to see each other again in person rather than zoom calls every couple weeks," he said.
The league promises to be more of a sprint than the usual grind when the season is halved from 28 rounds.
Gallo said it will suit the Strikers' attacking style.
"We can't lose any games too early because all three points will be vitally important for us," he said.
Cavaliers coaching director Dannie Carstens is taking a more cautious approach.
The reigning State League netball champions may have three of their stars in doubt to play when restrictions lift.
The teammates work in ICU, dealing with COVID-19 patients at Launceston General Hospital and will be subject to public health advice.
"More information is only coming to hand when they actually see the climate is like in the next few weeks when things do start to come back into play," Carstens said.
Carstens is more focused on public health than netball.
She said rushing the season back just to defend their title was not a high priority.
"If we do get a season in, great, if it's safe to do so, but if it's not, I think it's important we look at getting 2021 right and making sure two seasons are not sacrificed," she said.
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