Save Our South Dragons

Dear Members,

It is with heavy heart that I sit and write this to you, our loyal members and fans. Today is

truly a sad day for myself, club co-owner Raphael Geminder, and for the South Dragons

organisation.

I know there has been plenty of speculation in the media about why we chose not to

submit a license for the 2009/2010 NBL season. I’d like to take a minute of your time to

explain why we have chosen not to continue.

When we started the South Dragons in 2006, we were dedicated to bringing a true element

of professionalism to Australian basketball. We wanted to put on the best game night

show in the league. We did that. We wanted to have a first class operation. We did that

too. And we wanted to win. That took a little longer than we thought, but eventually

resulted in last year’s NBL championship.

But let’s not kid ourselves, despite all of this, the NBL is a mess. In the last two years,

teams in Brisbane and Sydney have collapsed. Singapore pulled out of the league.

Cairns and the Sydney Spirit had major financial crises and were bailed out using funds

that clubs had put aside for other purposes. Fox Sports severely cut its telecasts and

mainstream media interest has waned. Crowds fall every year.

Basketball Australia and the NBL owners decided something had to be done, so we

handed in our licenses on the condition that a reform process would be undertaken. We

expected and believed that BA had a mandate for reform and that it would deliver the

following changes:

- Teams in each capital city of Australia plus a NZ team

- A proper television deal (ideally with a free-to-air component on One HD)

- A naming rights sponsor for the league

- A review of the number of games in a season, so we have fan friendly schedules

- A marketing plan for the newNBL, with advertising for our product and game dates

- An adequate marketing budget for the NBL

- A plan and vision for growing attendances at games and delivering a sustainable

business model to clubs

None of these things have yet been delivered.

Itʼs a tragedy that after being been given the hope of reform, which promised so much, we

instead have been delivered an environment in which we believe clubs will still fall over,

where the competition is going backwards, where many good Australian players will choose

to go overseas (if not this year, then next), where we will no longer have quality imports and

an environment where attendances will continue to fall and corporate sponsorship will go

backwards.

Two other sports - netball and soccer - have in recent times, successfully undergone a

reform process. Both made fundamental changes and both have improved their situations.

We made a stand at the time when we found out that reform was a non-event and that

further progress was unlikely. We suggested to BA that real reform was still needed and

that further time was needed to plan for it. We supported this view by offering to the BA

Board new high profile Board members and we would even consider sponsorship of the

League in a truly reformed newNBL. We made this offer twice verbally and twice in writing.

We hoped that BA would accept our offer of help, take the decision to sit out a season and

use that time to properly plan reform. They did not.

When we took our position that more time was needed, we also believed other clubs would

do likewise. In fact two clubs apart from the Melbourne Tigers told us they would support

us. Unfortunately these clubs and the Tigers changed their view and submitted for new

licenses.

In a cruel twist of fate, when we took the decision to sit out a season, we truly believed we

were supporting a much-needed reform and that the Dragons would be there in a newly

revamped league, when what we were really doing was signing the execution order for the

club. We feel it is unlikely that we will be back in the future as it would be really difficult to

start up again after letting all the brilliant people involved in the Dragons go their own ways,

and would not even think about it unless true reform occurs.

The Dragons License has a proud history. It was the same license that was represented by

many great clubs including the Magic, Giants, Saints and Spectres to name a few. In its

time it has won five NBL championships - more than any other license. I would like to thank

Brian and our entire coaching staff, our office staff, our volunteers, and of course the

playing group for the wonderful memories and for winning a championship in just our third

year. I would like to thank our past staff for all they contributed. I would like to thank our

sponsors for their support and our Board members for their wisdom. I would like to

acknowledge Raphael Geminder who has been a wonderful business partner.

Finally I would like to thank you, our supporters and members who have shared the journey

with us. It has been made all the richer for being able to share it with friends.

As part of the process of winding up the club, we have decided to have a huge sale this

Saturday between 9 am and midday to give you all a chance to get some merchandise to

remember us by. We are going to open up the office at MSAC and sell all our remaining

merchandise for $5 per item. There are jerseys, hoodies, t-shirts etc and itʼs all well below

cost. Stock is limited and not all sizes are available. Itʼs first come, first served. Cash only.

With regard to staying in touch, we can still be contacted through email:

southdragons@southdragons.com

In summary, itʼs been a privilege to lead this organisation and to provide Melbourne with a

second NBL club. Whilst the immediate future is that the Dragons will exist no more, we

should all be proud of what we achieved together in three short years.

Basketball is a great sport and is thriving at the grass roots level in this country. Letʼs look

forward to the time when true reform eventually occurs as it inevitably will, and then this

league can take its rightful place in the Australian sporting landscape.

Letʼs all hope we donʼt have to wait too long.

Kind regards

Mark Cowan

well this is just disappointing. I thought they would just take time off and be back in a couple of years. i might head down for the sale tho, wouldnt mind a hoodie, tshirt or 2 and a jersey

Wouldnt mind getting some GF merchandise framed, that would be cool.

is that this saturday,, 6th of june?

Basiclly this letter says thanks for every thing but we are screwing you over!

I couldn't handle going there and buying up the last remnants, what for anyway.?  I have a Hammer Heal t'shirt that got shoved into the cupboard, now I have my wonderful South Dragons zip up Hoody that I adore, but each time I put it on its with great sadness.  I have my keychain swining on my keyring reminding me, why would I want more reminders :-((

Angie at 04:48AM on Jun 10, 2009

I couldn't handle going there and buying up the last remnants, what for anyway.?  I have a Hammer Heal t'shirt that got shoved into the cupboard, now I have my wonderful South Dragons zip up Hoody that I adore, but each time I put it on its with great sadness.  I have my keychain swining on my keyring reminding me, why would I want more reminders :-((

same dude,i got heaps of PJ's and heaps of useless memorbilia now..

I know guys i think that it was a pretty poor letter, and really it does say exactly what you have said it says. Oh well, lets just hope the Dragons are back in one shape or another..