TO:                              ACC LEAGUES
                                    STATE GENERAL MANAGERS                     
                                    ACC COMMISSION MEMBERS

DATE:                        26 November 2008

ACC National Finals

Since 2002 the National Finals for the ABA have seen a number of different formats.  In 2006 it was agreed that the National Finals would be called the Australian Club Championship.  The format provided for the champion team in each league, together with wildcards to form 8 teams in men and women. 

The format provided for two weekends of competition with the 1st weekend being the quarter finals at the home of one team (determined on a rotational basis) and round 2 the semi finals and finals in a central venue.

The first two years have seen the quarter finals being rotated as follows:

QABL and Waratah

      Big V/SEABL and Central

In 2008 SEABL requested, and was granted, the option to play their quarter final between the winner of each of their conferences as the quarter final as well as providing an overall SEABL champion which previously they had not done.  The 2007 and 2008 finals were played at MSAC in Melbourne and were hosted by Basketball Victoria.

Whilst the format on paper appeared to have merit and allowed for home teams to promote their quarter final game, this did not happen.  The individual finals in the respective leagues were much better promoted and achieved much higher spectator attendances with the exception of Northern Qld.  The finals weekend over the past 2 years has not been able to attract the audience support that was expected.

Basketball SA has advised that they will not be competing in the ACC finals in 2009.  They will reconsider this decision next year when a new or revised format of interstate competition is finalised.  Over the past three months there have been ongoing discussions between Basketball Victoria, SEABL and Big V about opportunities for these two leagues moving forward.  It would seem that the status quo will remain for 2009 but there could be some positive changes for 2010.

The BA High Performance Review 2008 clearly identified as one of the key recommendations that there needed to be more opportunities for young male athletes as an alternative for those considering going to college.  There has been some discussion about this recommendation however more work needs to be done.

The ACC Commission considered the current situation with the withdrawal of South Australia and the fact that there would only be 4 leagues competing.    These leagues are all representative of the East Coast of Australia so it does not truly reflect what the Australian Club Championship should represent.  In addition SEABL had also indicated that they were also considering their situation about competing in the ACC National Finals. 

The decision of the ACC Commission was that there would be no ACC National Finals played in 2009 and that ongoing discussions continue to determine an appropriate format that provides an opportunity for all states to compete at their state level and then culminate in a national championship. 

ACC Rules

The ACC commission also agreed that the ACC Rules would be retained for all leagues for the 2009 season.  In addition it was agreed that SEABL be given approval to trial for the 2009 season a revised “restricted player” rule.

Kind regards

Lorraine Landon
General Manager, National Teams & Competitions