MJ, you make an very important point: “The 2010 GBL decision should therefore encourage GP ballers to start to support basketball in all its formats.”

We know this has not happened as much as necessary in the past, but I have to agree that getting more basketball tournaments or leagues [in whatever format] going is incredibly important in the overall development of basketball.

With the “opportunity” provided by a shorter GBL season, do you have any ideas as to how we [the basketball community at large, even possibly using this forum - MyBasketball] could facilitate these efforts and support them?

It would also be great to hear from those who are currently running any form of leagues or want to do so, what your biggest challenges are and what support would be useful and valuable.

From your comment I assume you did not attend this very iimportant meeting as it was explained why the 2010 league will start in August. Also according to the report above organisations & individuals are encouraged to organise tournaments before the league starts as

The decision to start the league in August should also be taken into the context of bball generally and the need for GBA to prioritise. It is my view that the GBL can never and should never be the be it and end all of bbal..

According to my research, in other countries Provincia/regional leagues also run for a very short period. For a long time, even the NBA ran for a short period for a league of its magnitude. KZN continues to compete a senior level even though their league does not compare to GBL. Locally, the Rugby Currie Cup is the premier national league and yet it also runs for a short time.

To have a long league is not a prerequsite for a healthy development of a sport, in fact it can be detrimental to the sport as all energies will be spent to on the league at the expense of development, the PSL is a good example.

The 2010 GBL decision should therefore encourage GP ballers to start to support basketball in all its formats. Schools leagues such as the Rainbow, GSBC, etc are currently running, we should all be going to their games to support the future of bball. Imagine what effects this would have to the young players and the image of bball if these games are played to full stands.

Therefore Baller,contrary to your comment, the GBL 2010 decision in meant to rather refocus our efforts in developing bball.

thank you for the great article. please note that the email address for GBA is basketballgp@gmail.com, there was an l missing out of the article above.

Thank you again to all who attended, as well as the media reps. We are very positive about the future whilst we are collaborating effectively with one another.

GBA Sec Gen