Boomers and Opals Series unique in Australian sport: Sengstock

The current Olympic qualification series double-header between the Australian men's and women's national basketball teams, the Boomers and Jayco Opals, and archrivals New Zealand is a unique event in Australian sport according to Basketball Australia Chief Executive Larry Sengstock.

Sengstock believes the sold-out crowd in Melbourne last night that witnessed wins by both the Boomers and Jayco Opals were treated to something that no other truly international sport can offer the Australian sporting public.

Speaking to Australasian Leisure Management, Sengstock stated "I really do believe that people underestimate the importance of being able to offer the Australian sporting public an international double-header of this magnitude right here in our own country.

"Both the Boomers and Jayco Opals are ranked in the top ten in the world, so to have them playing a double-bill right here in Australia is something which is a unique sporting event.

"I can't think of another Australian sporting code in which two top-ten teams in the world would vie for an Olympic berth on home soil in a double-header.

"The Melbourne public really responded to that last night and the sell-out crowd were treated to a phenomenal night of sports entertainment.

"The two games were thrilling and truly world class, as well as being as passionate and emotional as all trans-Tasman clashes are.

"We know that the crowds in Brisbane and Sydney will recognise this also, and we've had very positive pre-sales already in both markets. Fans in both Brisbane and Sydney do not want to miss this opportunity to see the Boomers and Jayco Opals in a double-header playing for a ticket to the Olympics no less.

"There is no telling how long it will be before this sort of opportunity comes around again."

The Jayco Opals are currently ranked third in the world by international governing body FIBA, while the Boomers are ranked 9th.

Game Two of the 2011 FIBA Oceania Championship will be at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre tonight (Friday 9th September) while Game Three is at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Sunday 11th September.

Tickets for the Sydney game are on sale now through Ticketmaster, while tickets to the Brisbane game are now being sold through Ticketek.

The men's series will be shown on Network Ten's digital channel ONE, while ABC TV will cover the women's series.

The Boomers took a 1-0 series lead over the New Zealand Tall Blacks with a 91-78 victory in their clash, while earlier the Jayco Opals moved within a single game of a ticket to the 2012 London Olympic Games with a strong 77-64 win over the Tall Ferns.

For details on the Boomers and Opals double-header against New Zealand go to www.nbl.com.au/news/article/2011/july/boomers-and-opals-tickets-on-sale-today/

3rd November 2009 - JAYCO PARTNERS WITH BASKETBALL’S OPALS