Sunshine Coast scores new basketball Trans-Tasman Throwdown
Australia and New Zealand set to reignite basketball rivalry in the inaugural Trans-Tasman Throwdown
Basketball fans are in for an unforgettable showcase as the Trans-Tasman Throwdown makes its debut, pitting Australia against New Zealand in an electrifying new series and reigniting one of sports fiercest rivalries.
The Boomers will take on the Tall Blacks whilst the Seven Consulting Opals will go up against the 2degrees Tall Ferns across three games in both countries.
The series will see Australia and New Zealand’s national basketball sides descend on Adelaide on Wednesday, May 7, before heading northeast to the Sunshine Coast on Friday, May 9 culminating in the final game across the Tasman in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) on Sunday, May 11.
This series marks a fantastic opportunity for basketball fans across Australia and New Zealand to see their national teams live in action with this being the first time the Boomers have played the Tall Blacks in Australia since 2021 and close to 10 years since the Tall Blacks hosted the Boomers in New Zealand.
For the Opals and 2degrees Tall Ferns, the Australians edged out New Zealand in bronze medal match of the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Sydney. Since then, they have not played one another in New Zealand since 2015, and the 2dgrees Tall Ferns have not played at home in over five years.
Sunshine Coast Council Economy Portfolio Councillor Terry Landsberg said drawing the Boomers and the Opals to UniSC Arena was a win for local basketball fans and aspiring athletes who will get to see the men’s and women’s national teams in the flesh after their Olympic campaigns in Paris last year, which saw the Opals win a Bronze medal.
“With the Sunshine Coast proposed to host preliminary basketball matches for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, this partnership is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our existing facilities and our capability to host high-profile events," Cr Landsberg said.
“In addition, New Zealand remains our top target for international tourism with year-round direct flights from the Sunshine Coast now available, and the extensive social media and broadcast coverage across New Zealand and Australia will significantly enhance the Sunshine Coast's reputation as a premier destination for major events.”
Basketball Australia CEO Matt Scriven said the arrival of the Trans-Tasman Throwdown series is a testament to the rise of the game in both Australia and New Zealand.
"There’s a strong history of basketball in both regions and like Australia, Aotearoa is currently driving and enjoying a boom of their own,” Mr Scriven said.
“We want the inaugural series to set the foundation for a tradition that fans, players and teams will embrace, and we look forward to introducing a new era of rivalry between Australia and New Zealand basketball.
“We are incredibly excited for the Trans-Tasman Throwdown. The rivalry between our two countries is unmatched, and these three games promise to be action packed. To be able to host the Tall Blacks and 2dgrees Tall Ferns at home, in front of a home crowd is huge for us.“
Basketball New Zealand CEO Dillon Boucher said the Tall Blacks had not played Australia in Aotearoa for nearly ten years, and the 2degrees Tall Ferns have not played at home for over five.
"We cannot wait to host Australia in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton in what promises to be an incredible experience that fans will not want to miss,” Mr Boucher said.
TEG Group CEO Geoff Jones said TEG was excited to Partner with Basketball Australia and Basketball New Zealand to bring the Trans-Tasman Throwdown to life, re-igniting a special rivalry.
"Further to this, we are eager to bring both national teams to Adelaide, Sunshine Coast and Hamilton in New Zealand, for a fantastic chance for basketball fans to witness international basketball firsthand."