Isaac
Years ago
ANNOUNCEMENT |
— Illawarra Hawks (@illawarrahawks) November 13, 2018
The Illawarra Hawks and ACT Government have officially announced a partnership that will see the club play a home game in the nation's capital on January 26.
For more details, follow the link.
- https://t.co/qQLnDnk3j1
Jack Toft
Years ago
Where's the like button?
Should be good for the NBL to dip their toe into Canberra
Nice for Canberra. Annoying for Hawks fans (members especially)
Food for thought
(he/kangaroo)
Years ago
Yeah I am sure it is annoying for Hawks fans, but Hawks fans don't bother to turn up to games so they can sit there and watch the game from home as they usually do.
Perthworld
Years ago
Can't spill your beer over players via TV though. The Illawarra region is fuming over this lost opportunity!
Isaac
Years ago
Ha!
that guy who's been in every TV crowd shot ever at the hawk's games will be crying into his horned bikey helmet at this news
— thcairns (@tomhcairns) November 13, 2018
Haz
Years ago
Could be a dress rehersal for possibly a more permanent move or at least a few more Hawks games there if there's support for it. They only really need to get 3000 people there at least to think about it.
With the ACT government's willingness to throw money at interstate sporting teams to bring events to Canberra, a few games a year could make a big difference to the Hawks' bottom line.
This should also tie in to Canberra Classic, so if most teams and spectators for that event bother turning out to the NBL game, that's a few hundred people who wouldn't normally be in town.
WookieE
Years ago
I know it will be very hard for them to not get more fans to turn up than a Hawks home game, but when teams have done this in the past, it's been pretty stark in the stands... Any big basketball fans are still Canberra fans and would more than likely still have that rivalry and the last time the Kings went down there, the "away" team was cheered for more...
I hope there's a ticket buy back for the Hawks members that don't go down, as taking away a home game from fans that are already dwindling thanks to poor management decisions in the past, could erode things even worse in the long term... No point getting paid now if long term they don't have any fans wanting to come to the rest of the seasons home games...
PeterJohn
Years ago
^ WookieE +1
Especially if Illawarra season tickets don't carry a disclaimer that warn that you might not get the home games in the Illawarra.
Haz
Years ago
Out of the 2500 people that the Hawks usually get, how many of those would actually be members? Maybe 1000? Of those, there would have to be some long term members that may support the Canberra initiative if it means a cash injection for the club, which in turn could mean an improvement in some areas which could benefit the members. The older members may appreciate this.
Wookie makes a good point though about Canberra fans. Why would they get behind the Hawks? Could be a very empty stadium which would be a shame. But if the Hawks dont get much support in their own town, you cant blame them for trying this especially as its worth $$$ to the club.
I don't think there are a ton of Hawks fans in Canberra. There's a fair rivalry at junior level, so the natural tendency for our juniors is to support Sydney. The drive is not that different and if you bother making the trip, there's stuff to do other than go to the game. I don't see a lot of NBL interest in Canberra full stop. It's easier to watch the NBA, so if you don't have an existing attachment to an NBL team, there just isn't much reason to form one.
I hope the crowd will be a decent size, but I think that's the best case scenario. Don't think the atmosphere will be great.
Curtley
Years ago
Greater South West Cannon Hawks has a nice ring to it.
WookieE:
Just on your point - I got an email (I'm a member) saying I can get a ticket to the game in Canberra, get pro-rata cost of that ticket reimbursed, or pro-rata cost donated to charity.
Rabbit70
Years ago
Hawks don't care about the Hawks members because from 2020 there will be the ACT Hawks.
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