Queenstown has added for its burgeoning reputation as a southern sporting Mecca, with confirmation as the second expansion franchise for the 2024 National Basketball League.
Best known as a tourist resort, the idyllic South Island town already hosts some of the country's major golfing and snowsports events, but has also shown its readiness to stage international cricket - White Ferns v India - and Super Rugby under COVID-19 'red light' bubbles.
Selection as an NBL venue broadens its sporting credentials.
"This is an incredible opportunity for the Queenstown Lakes Community and we are currently looking into what might be required for the Queenstown Events Centre to meet the standard required to have our own team in the 2024 NBL," says Mayor Jim Boult.
"Given the growth of our population, our ability to be incredible hosts and growth in the popularity of basketball here, we see this as an exciting opportunity for our athletic community and for the national league to mutually benefit from a great partnership."
The area is currently served by Otago Nuggets and Southland Sharks, but NBL general manager Huw Beynon is confident there's enough talent to go round.
"Queenstown submitted an excellent application and have been great to work with throughout," he says. "The city has long been on our radar, so we’re obviously thrilled to have them enter the league in 2024.
"The talent base in the South Island is rapidly growing and another team in the region will only enhance that. We're not only excited about the oncourt product, but what the team will do for the community too."
Bay of Plenty Stingrays have already been named as an expansion outfit for the 2024 season, after four teams were shortlisted.
