The Premier of NSW, The Hon. Kristina Keneally MP, and the Minister for Sport and Recreation, The Hon. Kevin Greene MP, on behalf of the NSW Parliament, on Tuesday welcomed the re-formed Sydney Kings back to the National Basketball League with an honorary reception in the Speaker’s Garden at Parliament House.
Premier Keneally and Minister Greene joined the entire team and coaching staff of the Sydney Kings at the function to recognise their return season to the competition and to Sydney.
In April this year, after an absence of nearly two years, the new owners and the NBL formally announced the Sydney Kings would be a part of the re-formed NBL nine-team 2010-2011 competition.
The new league came about as the result of a merger between Basketball Australia and the National Basketball League.
Mr Greene said the Sydney Kings are the first and only team to date to win three consecutive NBL championships in the NBL.
"Their exciting form of basketball, and the fact they play in front of up to 10,000 fans at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in the middle of the city make the Sydney Kings an important part of our sporting culture," Mr Greene said.
“It is with great excitement that we are in a position today to welcome them back to the competition.
“Sydney loves its basketball and they have always loved the Kings. Now with Bob Turner and Ian 'Moose' Robilliard at the helm, and a strong line up of import and local players; including former Kings players, Luke Martin, Graeme Dann, and Ben Knight we know they are once again going to be a force to reckoned with.
“That’s why we were so keen to host them here in Parliament today at a formal reception to let them know the city of Sydney is right behind them; as we always were,” he said.
Sydney Kings General Manager, Bob Turner, said it was great to be back and that the welcome by the city has been phenomenal.
"Since the day we made the announcement that the Sydney Kings were back the support we have received from the Sydney Entertainment Centre, the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, and the New South Wales government had been outstanding," Mr Turner said.
"As a result of their collective support, we will be playing almost all our home games at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on weekends so the whole family can enjoy a night out at the basketball," he added.
"With the strong financial support of our shareholders the Sydney Kings can return to the halcyon days of being a big part of the community; being family orientated; and, above all, giving Sydney a team of which they can be truly proud.
Former Sydney Kings' player, and current roster member, Luke Martin, agreed, saying he knew how much Sydney likes a winner, so he and the rest of the team would be giving the 2010-2011 NBL season 100 percent on and off the court.
Mr Greene called on Sydneysiders to get out to watch the team.
“The Kings will play their first home game at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Saturday October 16, and it would be fantastic to have a big home crowd cheering them on like the old days,” he said.
“A chance to see former Boomers player, Damien Ryan and the unmistakable purple and gold colours is something that should not be missed at the opening home game, or during the NBL season. Neither should we miss the talents of Blagoj Janev, who played for the Gold Medal World Championship Junior Australian team.
"Sydney's front-court team of Americans Taj McCullough and Rod Grizzard, along with Julian Khazzouh will also be exciting to watch. That is why Sydneysiders should get back out there to let the Kings know we are glad they are back," Minister Greene said.
