Arena AV ignites game day experience for NBL's Illawarra Hawks

Acknowledged for providing fans with one of the best game day experiences in the NBL, the Illawarra Hawks have credited the work of Arena AV for their role in bringing WIN Entertainment Centre to life.

The Wollongong-based business, which has been working alongside the Hawks since its foundation in 2007, takes control of all the audio and visual requirements during the foundation club's home fixtures at the venue.

Arena AV's Sean Keaveny has been affiliated with the Hawks since 2001 when he was the WIN Entertainment Centre’s technical coordinator before forming his new company in 2007 - which then won the venue’s tender as preferred audio/visual supplier.

Keaveny explains "like the Hawks, Arena AV is proud of its Illawarra heritage and we encourage local business to use other local business as much as they can.

“Joining the Hawks has enabled us to showcase our entertainment technology outside of the corporate events market and help build on the game day experience which is at an all-time high.

“Much like the Hawks, we’ve grown our business from the ground up and although there have been challenges along the way, our partnership has allowed us to continue to strive for success in a highly competitive industry.”

Keaveny adds "like the Hawks, we have to plan tactically, creatively and back up from very tight deadlines

“Event production takes a lot of planning behind the scenes and you have to be able to adapt with short notice.

“During this pandemic, the challenges of navigating game day postponements and adhering to health orders have changed the way we can host events and I believe the partnership is doing a fantastic job - especially over the past 18 months.

“The Hawks have a proud history, which I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with for 20 years, and it feels like a new lease on life has been bestowed on the club.

“For the first time years, we have a team, led by Brian Goorjian, that can go all the way.

“I feel very lucky to be a part of the new journey and would like to thank the ownership on behalf of myself and the community for really believing in the Hawks and the Illawarra.”

Hawks co-owner and President Dorry Kordahi, who took on ownership of the team in the middle of last year, noted “Arena AV has been big supporters of the Hawks for a long time, especially since I and the new ownership group took over.

"That is a testament to their loyalty as a business and that together we are building something truly special at the Hawks and within the Illawarra region.

"Sean and his team are an integral part of our game day experience, which helps us produce the best night out in the Illawarra.”

The Hawks have also launched a new sponsored community fan zone, the Sixth Man Zone, for its home matches sponsored by Illawarra logistics business, ISS Shipping.

Located behind the backboard and adjacent to the Hawks' bench, fan zone members will be drawn from 14 local community groups in the Hawk’s catchment.

Spectators in the fan zone will be led by the club’s game day volunteers, mascots and cheerleaders in a series of pre-scripted chants and activities throughout the game which, the club hopes will boost both fan engagement and motivate the team.

Launched in May 2007, Arena AV set out to deliver the highest level of service, offering a point of difference in a very competitive market, using the best industry brands to maintain service excellence for their customers.

For more information click here to contact Arena AV via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

Image courtesy of WIN Entertainment Centre.