Basketball ACT eyes July return as Allan Yates joins coronavirus taskforce

Association president Allan Yates has joined a taskforce boasting representatives from every level of basketball designed to build a plan to revive the sport when the coronavirus threat eases.

The taskforce will be led by Basketball Australia chairman Ned Coten and NBL owner Larry Kestelman with a strong focus on reviving grassroots level competitions.

Kestleman says the NBL and WNBL cannot afford to fall back on rich television broadcast deals to survive the pandemic, meaning community participation will play a key role moving forward.

Hence the desire to open the doors as soon as it is deemed safe.

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"We are waiting for some direction from the government, but we are planning towards a July start for our competitions. We've been speaking to the clubs and social teams about that," Yates said.

"There's no doubt the focus alongside returning our elite competitions, which includes the NBL1 in most states, is to get the community and grassroots activities up and running.

"Basketball is well-placed to be agile, particularly in terms of being able to get into the community quickly, run training sessions and competitions, and get the sport back up and running with people involved.

"The commission will be engaging with all stakeholders to move this forward, which includes sponsors, athletes, federal, state and territory governments, and all associations.

"The focus is on grassroots, it's critical we get grassroots and community competitions up and running across the country alongside the elite competitions, the NBL and the WNBL."

Joining the taskforce are Basketball Queensland's Nicola Ellis, Tony Hallam (WNBL), Jacob Holmes (players association), Brian Delaney and Jerril Rechter (Basketball Australia), as well as independent business figures Ruffy Geminder, Diane Smith-Gander and Rickard Gardell.

Yates says the group has held one early meeting in its infancy with all parties keen to get together regularly following a second meeting over the weekend.

"We have to start planning for mobilised basketball when the lockdown finishes," Yates said.