FS BROADCAST SCHEDULE*
All times WST (Perth Time)

*Broadcast schedule to be updated once Round of 16 fixtures are known
FS = Fox Sports

As we prepare for another season of NBL action, I’d like to set a goal to all basketball fans across Western Australia for the next 12 months – and that is simply to be Number#1.

Before you think I’m being unrealistic, I’d like you to consider some statistics.

Nationally, basketball is the third most participated sport. In Victoria it’s number one. In NSW it ranks second.

(Statistics based on Participation in Exercise, Recreation and Sport 2009).

Here in WA we rank second too, but most importantly netball, which is number one, has a meagre 300 more participants than us.

Here’s a list of as many Australians in basketball on Twitter.

I’ve included NBL, Boomers, NBA and associated staff and organisations.

It’s a start and not comprehensive. So if I’ve missed anyone, please email me nmarvin@gmail.com

I’ve also created a twitter list of this page: http://twitter.com/CatsGM/basketball/members

The twitter list seems a lot easier to maintain so please refer to it first.

[Round# (Date) Home Team v Away Team]

R1 (Oct 17) Adelaide v Perth
R2 (Oct 21) New Zealand v Perth
R2 (Oct 24) Melbourne v Perth
R3 (Oct 29) Perth v Wollongong
R4 (Nov 5) Townsville v Perth
R4 (Nov 6) Cairns v Perth
R5 (Nov 14) Perth v New Zealand
R6 (Nov 19) Melbourne v Perth
R7 (Nov 28) Perth v Cairns
R8 (Dec 5) Perth v Townsville
R9 (Dec 12) Perth v Melbourne
R10 (Dec 19) Perth v Sydney
R12 (Dec 29) Sydney v Perth
R12 (Dec 31) Gold Coast v Perth
R13 (Jan 7) Perth v Melbourne
R14 (Jan 14) Perth v Wollongong
R15 (Jan 21) Perth v Townsville
R15 (Jan 23) Adelaide v Perth
R16 (Jan 29) Perth v Adelaide
R17 (Feb 4) Cairns v Perth
R17 (Feb 6) Perth v Gold Coast
R18 (Feb 11) Sydney v Perth
R18 (Feb 12) Wollongong v Perth
R19 (Feb 17) New Zealand v Perth
R19 (Feb 20) Perth v Adelaide
R21 (Mar 6) Perth v Cairns
R22 (Mar 13) Perth v Gold Coast
R23 (Mar 19) Townsville v Perth

There’s an increasing trend amongst corporates to operate their businesses with little regard for their environments – until they are brought to account. And when this happens there is very little in terms of an apology…rather we get the obvious spin and PR handling.

The issues with Toyota and their slow reaction to their vehicle recalls are well documented. It was only when the groundswell of disdain reached global proportions did the company commence clear and pro-active communication.

BP is yet to apologise for the oil spill off the US coast. Recently, there has been a lot of finger pointing at the rig-maker, Transocean.

17 April 2010 – Nick Marvin

Recruiting season is always a difficult time for sporting clubs.

This year the process will be even more challenging with the addition of a ninth team, the Sydney Kings. A talent pool of 80-odd active players must now be spread to nine teams.

Add to that the retirement of Sam Mackinon, Chris Anstey, Martin Cattalini, Paul Rogers, Tony Ronaldson, (arguably a group of starters) and Tony Rampton.

Then there are those who wish to play overseas or unlikely to return: Mark Worthington, Julius Hodge and Tywain McKee, Awee Storey and John Rillie.

Australia’s Premier Sport and Digital Media Event

Digital Sport Summit (www.digitalsport.com.au), Australia’s premier sport and digital media event, will launch today and herald a new era in the arena of sports marketing. It provides a unique opportunity to hear from social media pioneers who are changing the face of Australian sport, and learn how social media and mobile technology is taking fan engagement to a whole new level.

Collingwood Football Club defender Harry O’Brien, noted for his strong fan engagement through use of Twitter and his own personal website (www.harrysworld.com.au), will be in attendance to speak from the player’s perspective regarding the social media phenomenon. Sponsorship for the event has been secured from internationally renowned social media website Mashable (www.mashable.com) and Read Write Web (www.readwriteweb.com)

NBL FREE AGENTS LIST
TeamPlayer Points Ranking

Adelaide 10 JOHN GILCHRIST
Adelaide 10 ADAM BALLINGER
Adelaide 8 CORTEZ GROVES
Adelaide 8 MATTHEW BURSTON
Adelaide 7 JACOB HOLMES
Adelaide 6 NATHAN HERBERT
Adelaide 5 BRAD HILL
Adelaide 5 DAVID COOPER
Adelaide 3 TOM GARLEPP
Adelaide 1 CHRIS MOLITOR

Cairns 9 JULIEN MILLS
Cairns 9 RICH MELZER
Cairns 7 PHILL JONES
Cairns 5 GARY BOODNIKOFF
Cairns 4 KERRY WILLIAMS
Cairns 3 DWAYNE VALE
Cairns D MICHAEL CHITHAM
Cairns D JAMES COMINO

More than just the National Basketball League title will be on line when the Perth Wildcats play the Wollongong Hawks in the upcoming NBL Grand Final series, with New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally and West Australian Premier Colin Barnett each backing their state’s team in a winner-takes-all challenge.

So confident are the two Premiers that their team will win the NBL title that both have agreed to wear the singlet of the opposition club whenever they exercise for a full week if their team loses.

There are those who see the glass as half-full and those that see it as half-empty.

I am often told that I belong to the latter group.

Whilst I understand my perspective is often derided by many, here is an argument for those that share my views.

To see a glass half-empty, may not be optimistic to some, but in fact it is very opportunistic.

A half-full view on life or situations in life may foster complacency and mediocrity. Why do we need to do any more? The glass is half-full.