That’s the potential of the decision to put the SEABL under the control of Basketball Australia next year, according to president Michael Mack.

Last Saturday the Bandits were at a meeting in Melbourne that “overwhelmingly accepted” a proposal to transfer the business and operations to the national body.

Mack said it had the potential to give the competition the recognition it deserves as the second tier of the sport in Australia.

It would still be known as the SEABL.

“There has been an argument for some time that we didn’t sell ourselves effectively as the second best competition in Australia,” he said.

“The Ovens and Murray is probably the fourth or fifth best footy league and does a great job of promoting itself.

“We are the widely accepted as the tier below the NBL, the second biggest competition in Australia and yet I don’t think people outside basketball understand that.”

Mack said in practice there would be little change.

“But strategically it gives us greater resources to develop basketball, match programs such as Auskick and those in soccer and netball to attract and develop junior talent,” he said.

“Down the track there is the potential to live stream SEABL games, reduce costs through bigger corporate sponsorship deals and add teams from Western Australia, and more from NSW and Queensland to make it a truly national competition.”

SEABL president Simon Brookhouse said it was the right move.

“We have been contemplating the future of the SEABL organisation for some time now and, as a board, we were convinced Basketball Australia offered our clubs the best opportunity to manage the league and promote it to a larger fan base,” he said.

“The SEABL is managed by a small but dedicated team and the chance to integrate into the broader operations of Basketball Australia is a great step in the evolution of the league.”

The SEABL fixture for next year in expected to be released early next month.

The Border Mail also understand the Lady Bandits are close to announcing their second import for a strengthening squad.