THE Albury-Wodonga Bandits have been granted a licence to join an 18-team elite basketball league, run by Basketball Victoria, which will replace the existing South East Australian Basketball League.
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The new competition, which is yet to be given an official title, includes all SEABL teams with the exception of Mt Gambier, Canberra and Sydney Uni.
Hobart has been included in the league, while Launceston and the North-West Tasmania Thunder have been granted a co-licence.
Knox, Ringwood, Waverley and Eltham will join from the Big V league.
After a tense few weeks, Albury-Wodonga Bandits president Steve Wright welcomed the certainty of their new licence.
“The last few weeks have been pretty stressful to be honest,” he said.
“We were always fairly confident we'd get in, but it's nerve-wracking until you get that official phone call.
“Now that we have some certainty, it's a super exciting time for us.”
Now that we have some certainty, it's a super exciting time for us.
- Steve Wright
The Bandits were officially informed of the decision late on Wednesday afternoon.
With all the Victorian SEABL teams moving across to the new league, Wright said the standard of competition would remain elite.
“At this stage it looks like the same approach as what there was with the SEABL, teams will be putting the strongest possible team on the floor,” he said.
The Bandits will also enjoy some financial relief, thanks to a reduction in travel and administration costs.
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