Southland Sharks
Encyclopedia
The Southland Sharks are a professional basketball
team based in the Southland
region in the New Zealand
National Basketball League
.
The team plays their home games at Invercargill's
Stadium Southland
where 3,000 of the 4,500 seats are made available for regular season games.
but due to financial restraints folded completely.
It was not until 2008 when the Southland Basketball Association re-established itself as a national basketball threat. A reformed local team the ‘’Southland Flyers’’ represented the region
at the national division two tournament. In 2009 the Southland side containing Tall Blacks
greats Brendon Pongia
and Ed Book
as well as rugby
star Joe Tuineau
and coached by former NZNBL
player Richard Dickel
won the national tournament.
The Association’s success at the national tournament provided strong foundation for a worthy New Zealand National Basketball League
franchise license.
On December 22, 2009, the Southland Basketball Association received a three year license to enter the countries premier basketball competition becoming the regions third professional sports team after the Ranfurly Shield
holders the Southland Stags Rugby union
side and the Southern Steel
netball
team.
Several high profile officials criticized New Zealand Basketball’s decision including Waikato Pistons CEO who believed the NZNBL
should be downsizing to eight teams rather than including additional teams and the Sharks side would not win a game. Davey later said the reason for his statements was nobody would want to live in Invercargill
due to the cold climate and lack of activities therefore the Sharks would not attract quality local players or imports.
After confirming Dickel
as the coach the Southlanders set out trying to prove Davey wrong making a splash in the off-season signing many high profile players. The first of which was 28 year-old former Australian Boomers and current Wollongong Hawks
point guard
Luke Martin
who signed for two seasons. The Christchurch Cougars
lost reliable Forward-Centre
Gareth Dawson
to the Sharks and Conference Basketball League Shooting guard
Ian Cathcart
signed on with the Sharks also becoming a local Development Officer. Former New Mexico State Aggies
Centre
Martin Iti
became a coup signing for the Sharks after the Australian
-born American
citizen carried a New Zealand
passport which enabled him to be signed as a local player. The Sharks began to sign current New Zealand National Basketball League
players like Otago Nuggets
combo guard
Pete Burgess
, Australian
-born Harbour Heat
sharp shooter Daniel Munday
and veteran big man James Paringatai
.
After talk that the Sharks could not sign quality players, their recruitment process would be considered as a success if they could attract two decent imports. The first announced import was UNLV Runnin' Rebels
Swingman
René Rougeau
who was a star performer in his four years at the college. The Sharks struggled in their search for a second import, they in the end settled for Mike Rose
a former leading scorer for Eastern Kentucky University
. After disappointingly going undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft
after some analysis shows predicted he would go in the late first round, Rose
only signed for one month keeping his options open for the rest of 2010. The Sharks then completed their roster signing Invercargill
based players Paratene McLeod
, Bubba Lau'ese
, Izaac Williams
and Andrew Wheeler
.
National Basketball League
teams. They had mixed results after a week together, beating the Nelson Giants
70-65 and losing to the Christchurch Cougars
80-82 in overtime. They also lost by one point to the Otago Nuggets
74-75.
After the preseason the Sharks journeyed back to Invercargill
where they were joined by American
imports René Rouegau
and Mike Rose
to prepare for their first regular season game against the Bay Hawks. They were without Captain
and star Point guard
Luke Martin
who was still with his ANBL
side the Wollongong Hawks
.
In their first ever New Zealand
National Basketball League
on March 6, 2010
, at Stadium Southland
, the Sharks faced the Bay Hawks in front of 1,500 fans. The Sharks unveiled their bright orange home uniform matching main sponsors the SIT's
trademark colours. Their starters Martin Iti
, James Paringatai
, René Rougeau
, Mike Rose
and Daniel Munday
all put up strong performances with Munday
scoring the first basket in the history of the franchise and two imports Rose
and Rougeau
starring. After 40 minutes the teams could not be separated with the scores locked at 84-all. After an overtime run the Hawks were the winners 105-90.
Losing their next game away from home to the Harbour Heat
at the North Shore Events Centre
96-82, the Sharks looked for revenge against first up opponents Hawke's Bay. Once again on the back of tremendous performances from imports Rose
and Rougeau
the Sharks achieved their first ever win. After their first win they were bought back down to earth thrashed by 44 points by the Wellington Saints
.
They continued their up and down form winning against the Christchurch Cougars
before losing to the Taranaki Mountainairs
0. They then came home where they achieved their first success at Stadium Southland
winning 85-79 against the Christchurch Cougars
. After losing to Nelson
they went back to back against the Otago Nuggets
winning the Invercargill Licensing Trust Challenge Shield which is contested every time the two sides meet. Mike Helms
replaced Rose
as the Sharks import after Rose returned to Chicago, Illinois
They then started a four match home game streak selling out three of them. They lost to the Waikato Pistons and Wellington Saints
before beating the Manawatu Jets
and Harbour Heat
. They left them self in a good position to reach the playoffs for the first time in their first season only needing to win two of four away games to end the 2010 New Zealand NBL season
.
Their away trip began with the Sharks losing in overtime to the second place Waikato Pistons at Hamilton Boys' High School
. They then came one win closer to the playoffs with a win against the Taranaki Mountainairs
with René Rougeau
grabbing another double-double with 32 points and 10 rebounds. A loss to the Nelson Giants
saw the Sharks needing to beat the lowly Manawatu Jets
looking to spoil the Sharks party. They couldn't however with Rougeau
scoring 25 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, it was just out of reach for the Mountainairs
with the Sharks victorious 96-88. With the win sealing a playoff spot for the Sharks.
The Sharks have announced the re-signings of Gareth Dawson
, James Paringatai
, Ian Cathcart
and Paratene McLeod
for the 2011 season. They have also picked up Christchurch
-based guard Sam Dobbs and local talent Tim Campbell
.
The Sharks have since confirmed they have lured former Tall Blacks
point guard
Mark Dickel
home for the 2011 season, with the goal to re-make the Tall Blacks
. Dickel will play under his brother Richard who will return as head coach.
Former Tall Blacks
small forward
Brendon Polyblank has also signed with the team for 2011 making the Sharks a serious contender for the title.
Gareth Dawson
/
Martin Iti
Paratene McLeod
James Paringatai
Andrew Wheeler
Izaac Williams
/
Bubba Lau'ese
Mike Rose
Mark Dickel
Kaniel Dickens
Sylvester Spicer Sam Dobbs Jordan Lawley Dan Peck Brendon Polyblank Rhys Smolenski Aaron Holland Kevin Braswell Luka Pavlovic
Mike Helms
Luke Martin
/ Daniel Munday
Rene Rougeau
/ Mark Dickel
Assistant Coach
General Manager
Manager
Video Analyst
Trainer
Physiotherapist
-based television channel Cue TV. The Southland Times
newspaper also feature Sharks content daily including a blog written by head coach Richard Dickel
, game day coverage and advertisements.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team based in the Southland
Southland Region
Southland is New Zealand's southernmost region and is also a district within that region. It consists mainly of the southwestern portion of the South Island and Stewart Island / Rakiura...
region in the New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
National Basketball League
National Basketball League (New Zealand)
The National Basketball League, often abbreviated to the NBL, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in New Zealand.There were 10 teams in the 2010 season with teams based in Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Nelson, New Plymouth, North Shore, Palmerston North,...
.
The team plays their home games at Invercargill's
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland is an international sports complex in Invercargill, New Zealand. The stadium was completed in May 2000. The main SBS Sports Arena in the stadium has a capacity of 4,500, with temporary seating...
where 3,000 of the 4,500 seats are made available for regular season games.
Establishment
The Southland Sharks began as a Conference Basketball League side (New Zealand's second tier competition) in the early 1990s. After finishing second in 2002 the Sharks side was promoted to the NZNBLNational Basketball League (New Zealand)
The National Basketball League, often abbreviated to the NBL, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in New Zealand.There were 10 teams in the 2010 season with teams based in Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Nelson, New Plymouth, North Shore, Palmerston North,...
but due to financial restraints folded completely.
It was not until 2008 when the Southland Basketball Association re-established itself as a national basketball threat. A reformed local team the ‘’Southland Flyers’’ represented the region
Southland Region
Southland is New Zealand's southernmost region and is also a district within that region. It consists mainly of the southwestern portion of the South Island and Stewart Island / Rakiura...
at the national division two tournament. In 2009 the Southland side containing Tall Blacks
New Zealand national basketball team
The New Zealand national basketball team represents New Zealand in international basketball competitions. It is nicknamed the Tall Blacks, derived from the name of New Zealand's Rugby union team, the All Blacks.-History:...
greats Brendon Pongia
Brendon Pongia
Brendon Pongia is a New Zealand television presenter and basketball player, formerly for the national team, the Tall Blacks. He co-hosted Good Morning alongside Sarah Bradley from 2006-2011. He has also appeared on the Māori Television show Iwi All-Stars and Code.Pongia grew up in Greymouth and...
and Ed Book
Ed Book
Ed Book is a retired American-New Zealand professional basketball player. Book who stands at 2.10 metres tall, came from America to New Zealand in 1994 to play in the New Zealand National Basketball League.At the 2002 FIBA World Championship Book was a stand out player for the Tall Blacks,...
as well as rugby
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
star Joe Tuineau
Joe Tuineau
Joe Tuineau is a rugby union footballer and a former American football player. He plays as a lock for Southland in the ITM Cup and for the Highlanders in the Super Rugby competition. Although he was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand, he represents Tonga internationally...
and coached by former NZNBL
National Basketball League (New Zealand)
The National Basketball League, often abbreviated to the NBL, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in New Zealand.There were 10 teams in the 2010 season with teams based in Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Nelson, New Plymouth, North Shore, Palmerston North,...
player Richard Dickel
Richard Dickel
Richard Dickel is the current coach of the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League . Dickel, who is based in Invercargill has previously played for the Waikato Pistons and Otago Nuggets in the NZNBL and has now began a career in coaching...
won the national tournament.
The Association’s success at the national tournament provided strong foundation for a worthy New Zealand National Basketball League
National Basketball League (New Zealand)
The National Basketball League, often abbreviated to the NBL, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in New Zealand.There were 10 teams in the 2010 season with teams based in Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Nelson, New Plymouth, North Shore, Palmerston North,...
franchise license.
On December 22, 2009, the Southland Basketball Association received a three year license to enter the countries premier basketball competition becoming the regions third professional sports team after the Ranfurly Shield
Ranfurly Shield
The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...
holders the Southland Stags Rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
side and the Southern Steel
Southern Steel
The Southern Steel are a New Zealand netball team based in Invercargill that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The franchise was formed as an amalgamation of two teams from the National Bank Cup, the Dunedin-based Otago Rebels and the Invercargill-based Southern Sting...
netball
Netball
Netball is a ball sport played between two teams of seven players. Its development, derived from early versions of basketball, began in England in the 1890s. By 1960 international playing rules had been standardised for the game, and the International Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball ...
team.
Several high profile officials criticized New Zealand Basketball’s decision including Waikato Pistons CEO who believed the NZNBL
National Basketball League (New Zealand)
The National Basketball League, often abbreviated to the NBL, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in New Zealand.There were 10 teams in the 2010 season with teams based in Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Nelson, New Plymouth, North Shore, Palmerston North,...
should be downsizing to eight teams rather than including additional teams and the Sharks side would not win a game. Davey later said the reason for his statements was nobody would want to live in Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
due to the cold climate and lack of activities therefore the Sharks would not attract quality local players or imports.
After confirming Dickel
Richard Dickel
Richard Dickel is the current coach of the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League . Dickel, who is based in Invercargill has previously played for the Waikato Pistons and Otago Nuggets in the NZNBL and has now began a career in coaching...
as the coach the Southlanders set out trying to prove Davey wrong making a splash in the off-season signing many high profile players. The first of which was 28 year-old former Australian Boomers and current Wollongong Hawks
Wollongong Hawks
The Wollongong Hawks are a team competing in Australia's National Basketball League , based in the New South Wales city of Wollongong. They won the NBL championship in 2001 and finished as runners-up in 2005 and 2010...
point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
Luke Martin
Luke Martin
Luke Martin, is a professional basketball player and former international for the Australian Boomers. Martin spent three seasons in the Australian National squad from 2003–2005 and picked up several international caps...
who signed for two seasons. The Christchurch Cougars
Christchurch Cougars
The Christchurch Cougars are a professional men's basketball team based in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. They play in the New Zealand National Basketball League....
lost reliable Forward-Centre
Forward-Center
Forward–center is a basketball position for players who play or have played both forward and center on a consistent basis. Typically, this means power forward and center, since these are usually the two biggest player positions on any basketball team, and therefore more often overlap each...
Gareth Dawson
Gareth Dawson
Gareth Dawson is a professional basketball player from Timaru, New Zealand. He has played in the New Zealand NBL for several seasons with the Manawatu Jets and has since signed with the Southland Sharks for 2010...
to the Sharks and Conference Basketball League Shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
Ian Cathcart
Ian Cathcart
Ian Cathcart is a professional basketball player from New Zealand. Cathcart starred for the North Otago Penguins in the CBL for many years and became an integral part of their squad. Cathcart also plays at the NBL level, previously playing for the Otago Nuggets and the Southland Sharks.-External...
signed on with the Sharks also becoming a local Development Officer. Former New Mexico State Aggies
New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball
The New Mexico State Aggies Basketball team is the basketball team that represents New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Founded in 1904, the Aggies currently compete in the Western Athletic Conference and last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2010...
Centre
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
Martin Iti
Martin Iti
Martin Iti is an Australian-born New Zealand professional basketball player currently representing the Sydney Kings in the Australian National Basketball League....
became a coup signing for the Sharks after the Australian
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
-born American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
citizen carried a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
passport which enabled him to be signed as a local player. The Sharks began to sign current New Zealand National Basketball League
National Basketball League (New Zealand)
The National Basketball League, often abbreviated to the NBL, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in New Zealand.There were 10 teams in the 2010 season with teams based in Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Nelson, New Plymouth, North Shore, Palmerston North,...
players like Otago Nuggets
Otago Nuggets
The OCEANAGOLD Nuggets, formerly the Otago Nuggets, are a New Zealand professional basketball team that play in the National Basketball League. They play their home games at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.-2006 season:...
combo guard
Combo Guard
A combo guard is a basketball player who combines the attributes of a shooting guard and point guard , but does not necessarily fit the standard description of either position...
Pete Burgess
Pete Burgess
Peter Burgess is a New Zealand professional basketball player. Burgess previously played for the Otago Nuggets and is close friends with Sharks Forward-Center Gareth Dawson who he has played with.-External links:*...
, Australian
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
-born Harbour Heat
Harbour Heat
The Harbour Heat are a New Zealand professional basketball team that competes in the National Basketball League . They play their home fixtures at the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland, Auckland Region.-Roster:-External links:...
sharp shooter Daniel Munday
Daniel Munday
Daniel Munday is a professional basketball player. He debuted in the NZNBL in 2009 for the Harbour Heat after four seasons at the American Ouachita Baptist University. Munday came of the bench for the Heat in all their regular season and one playoff game...
and veteran big man James Paringatai
James Paringatai
James Paringatai is a New Zealand born professional basketball player. He currently plays for the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League....
.
After talk that the Sharks could not sign quality players, their recruitment process would be considered as a success if they could attract two decent imports. The first announced import was UNLV Runnin' Rebels
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a public, coeducational university located in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, Nevada, USA. The campus is located approximately east of the Las Vegas Strip. The institution includes a Shadow Lane Campus, located just east of the University Medical Center of...
Swingman
Swingman
A Swingman is a basketball term denoting a player who can play both the small forward and shooting guard positions, and, in essence, swing between the shooting guard and small forward positions." Swingmen males are often between 6'5" and 6'8" .John Havlicek, who played for the Boston Celtics in...
René Rougeau
René Rougeau (basketball)
René Anthony Rougeau is an American professional basketball player. He attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he starred in his four seasons with the Runnin' Rebels....
who was a star performer in his four years at the college. The Sharks struggled in their search for a second import, they in the end settled for Mike Rose
Mike Rose (basketball)
Michael Rose is an American professional basketball player. He plays at shooting guard or small forward. He plays for the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League. He averaged 22.6ppg in seven games for the side and was 7th in the league in points and steals.-College:Rose...
a former leading scorer for Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University, commonly referred to as Eastern or by the acronym EKU by local residents, is an undergraduate and graduate teaching and research institution located in Richmond, Kentucky, U.S.A.. EKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
. After disappointingly going undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft
2009 NBA Draft
The 2009 NBA Draft was held on June 25, 2009, the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
after some analysis shows predicted he would go in the late first round, Rose
Mike Rose (basketball)
Michael Rose is an American professional basketball player. He plays at shooting guard or small forward. He plays for the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League. He averaged 22.6ppg in seven games for the side and was 7th in the league in points and steals.-College:Rose...
only signed for one month keeping his options open for the rest of 2010. The Sharks then completed their roster signing Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
based players Paratene McLeod
Paratene McLeod
Paratene McLeod is a New Zealand professional basketball player of the Southland Sharks basketball team in the New Zealand National Basketball League....
, Bubba Lau'ese
Bubba Lau'ese
Bubba Lau'ese is a New Zealand-born Samoan professional basketball player. Lau'ese played Rugby union in Invercargill, Southland for the Excelsior Rugby Club narrowly missing out on the Manu Samoa squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup...
, Izaac Williams
Izaac Williams
Izaac Williams is a New Zealand professional basketball player who currently plays for the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League. Williams grew up in Invercargill, Southland, and had a promising career in Squash before turning to basketball, trialing and earning himself a...
and Andrew Wheeler
Andrew Wheeler
Andrew Wheeler is a member of the Southland Sharks basketball team in the New Zealand National Basketball League. Wheeler is a local from Invercargill and signed with the club in 2009...
.
2010: The Inaugural Season
The Southland Sharks participated in the Southern Showcase Tournament involving all the South IslandSouth Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
National Basketball League
National Basketball League (New Zealand)
The National Basketball League, often abbreviated to the NBL, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in New Zealand.There were 10 teams in the 2010 season with teams based in Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Nelson, New Plymouth, North Shore, Palmerston North,...
teams. They had mixed results after a week together, beating the Nelson Giants
Nelson Giants
The Fico Finance Nelson Giants are a basketball team that play in the National Basketball League in New Zealand. Their home games are played at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson....
70-65 and losing to the Christchurch Cougars
Christchurch Cougars
The Christchurch Cougars are a professional men's basketball team based in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. They play in the New Zealand National Basketball League....
80-82 in overtime. They also lost by one point to the Otago Nuggets
Otago Nuggets
The OCEANAGOLD Nuggets, formerly the Otago Nuggets, are a New Zealand professional basketball team that play in the National Basketball League. They play their home games at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.-2006 season:...
74-75.
After the preseason the Sharks journeyed back to Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
where they were joined by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
imports René Rouegau
René Rougeau (basketball)
René Anthony Rougeau is an American professional basketball player. He attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he starred in his four seasons with the Runnin' Rebels....
and Mike Rose
Mike Rose (basketball)
Michael Rose is an American professional basketball player. He plays at shooting guard or small forward. He plays for the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League. He averaged 22.6ppg in seven games for the side and was 7th in the league in points and steals.-College:Rose...
to prepare for their first regular season game against the Bay Hawks. They were without Captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
and star Point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
Luke Martin
Luke Martin
Luke Martin, is a professional basketball player and former international for the Australian Boomers. Martin spent three seasons in the Australian National squad from 2003–2005 and picked up several international caps...
who was still with his ANBL
National Basketball League (Australasia)
The National Basketball League, also known as the iiNet NBL Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Australasia....
side the Wollongong Hawks
Wollongong Hawks
The Wollongong Hawks are a team competing in Australia's National Basketball League , based in the New South Wales city of Wollongong. They won the NBL championship in 2001 and finished as runners-up in 2005 and 2010...
.
In their first ever New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
National Basketball League
National Basketball League (New Zealand)
The National Basketball League, often abbreviated to the NBL, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in New Zealand.There were 10 teams in the 2010 season with teams based in Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Nelson, New Plymouth, North Shore, Palmerston North,...
on March 6, 2010
2010 New Zealand NBL season
The 2010 New Zealand National Basketball League was the 29th season of the New Zealand NBL. In the 90-game regular season began on Thursday, 4 March and concluded on Friday, 19 June 2010....
, at Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland is an international sports complex in Invercargill, New Zealand. The stadium was completed in May 2000. The main SBS Sports Arena in the stadium has a capacity of 4,500, with temporary seating...
, the Sharks faced the Bay Hawks in front of 1,500 fans. The Sharks unveiled their bright orange home uniform matching main sponsors the SIT's
Southern Institute of Technology
The Southern Institute of Technology is the most well recognised Tertiary Education Institution of the province of Southland, New Zealand....
trademark colours. Their starters Martin Iti
Martin Iti
Martin Iti is an Australian-born New Zealand professional basketball player currently representing the Sydney Kings in the Australian National Basketball League....
, James Paringatai
James Paringatai
James Paringatai is a New Zealand born professional basketball player. He currently plays for the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League....
, René Rougeau
René Rougeau (basketball)
René Anthony Rougeau is an American professional basketball player. He attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he starred in his four seasons with the Runnin' Rebels....
, Mike Rose
Mike Rose (basketball)
Michael Rose is an American professional basketball player. He plays at shooting guard or small forward. He plays for the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League. He averaged 22.6ppg in seven games for the side and was 7th in the league in points and steals.-College:Rose...
and Daniel Munday
Daniel Munday
Daniel Munday is a professional basketball player. He debuted in the NZNBL in 2009 for the Harbour Heat after four seasons at the American Ouachita Baptist University. Munday came of the bench for the Heat in all their regular season and one playoff game...
all put up strong performances with Munday
Daniel Munday
Daniel Munday is a professional basketball player. He debuted in the NZNBL in 2009 for the Harbour Heat after four seasons at the American Ouachita Baptist University. Munday came of the bench for the Heat in all their regular season and one playoff game...
scoring the first basket in the history of the franchise and two imports Rose
Mike Rose (basketball)
Michael Rose is an American professional basketball player. He plays at shooting guard or small forward. He plays for the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League. He averaged 22.6ppg in seven games for the side and was 7th in the league in points and steals.-College:Rose...
and Rougeau
René Rougeau (basketball)
René Anthony Rougeau is an American professional basketball player. He attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he starred in his four seasons with the Runnin' Rebels....
starring. After 40 minutes the teams could not be separated with the scores locked at 84-all. After an overtime run the Hawks were the winners 105-90.
Losing their next game away from home to the Harbour Heat
Harbour Heat
The Harbour Heat are a New Zealand professional basketball team that competes in the National Basketball League . They play their home fixtures at the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland, Auckland Region.-Roster:-External links:...
at the North Shore Events Centre
North Shore Events Centre
North Shore Events Centre is an indoor arena, located in Auckland, New Zealand. The arena opened in 1992 and has a capacity of 4,500 people.The Centre primarily hosts basketball games and is the home arena of the New Zealand Breakers who play in the Australasian NBL. It also hosts concerts and...
96-82, the Sharks looked for revenge against first up opponents Hawke's Bay. Once again on the back of tremendous performances from imports Rose
Mike Rose (basketball)
Michael Rose is an American professional basketball player. He plays at shooting guard or small forward. He plays for the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League. He averaged 22.6ppg in seven games for the side and was 7th in the league in points and steals.-College:Rose...
and Rougeau
René Rougeau (basketball)
René Anthony Rougeau is an American professional basketball player. He attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he starred in his four seasons with the Runnin' Rebels....
the Sharks achieved their first ever win. After their first win they were bought back down to earth thrashed by 44 points by the Wellington Saints
Wellington Saints
The Wellington Saints are a professional basketball team that play in the New Zealand National Basketball League. They play their home games at the TSB Bank Arena in Wellington, New Zealand. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as the Exodus Saints....
.
They continued their up and down form winning against the Christchurch Cougars
Christchurch Cougars
The Christchurch Cougars are a professional men's basketball team based in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. They play in the New Zealand National Basketball League....
before losing to the Taranaki Mountainairs
Taranaki Mountainairs
Taranaki Mountain Airs are a New Zealand professional basketball team that compete in the National Basketball League. They have previously been known as the New Plymouth Bulls , the Taranaki Bears , the Taranaki Oilers and the Devon Dynamos Taranaki .They play their home games at TSB Stadium in...
0. They then came home where they achieved their first success at Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland
Stadium Southland is an international sports complex in Invercargill, New Zealand. The stadium was completed in May 2000. The main SBS Sports Arena in the stadium has a capacity of 4,500, with temporary seating...
winning 85-79 against the Christchurch Cougars
Christchurch Cougars
The Christchurch Cougars are a professional men's basketball team based in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. They play in the New Zealand National Basketball League....
. After losing to Nelson
Nelson Giants
The Fico Finance Nelson Giants are a basketball team that play in the National Basketball League in New Zealand. Their home games are played at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson....
they went back to back against the Otago Nuggets
Otago Nuggets
The OCEANAGOLD Nuggets, formerly the Otago Nuggets, are a New Zealand professional basketball team that play in the National Basketball League. They play their home games at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.-2006 season:...
winning the Invercargill Licensing Trust Challenge Shield which is contested every time the two sides meet. Mike Helms
Mike Helms
Mike Helms is an American basketball player who played guard at Oakland University. He was named to the Mid-Continent Conference All-League team three years in a row and the Mid-Con Conference Player of the Year in 2003...
replaced Rose
Mike Rose (basketball)
Michael Rose is an American professional basketball player. He plays at shooting guard or small forward. He plays for the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League. He averaged 22.6ppg in seven games for the side and was 7th in the league in points and steals.-College:Rose...
as the Sharks import after Rose returned to Chicago, Illinois
They then started a four match home game streak selling out three of them. They lost to the Waikato Pistons and Wellington Saints
Wellington Saints
The Wellington Saints are a professional basketball team that play in the New Zealand National Basketball League. They play their home games at the TSB Bank Arena in Wellington, New Zealand. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as the Exodus Saints....
before beating the Manawatu Jets
Manawatu Jets
The Manawatu Jets, formerly referred to as the Palmerston North Jets, are a professional basketball team that play in the New Zealand National Basketball League. They play their home games at Arena Manawatu in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The biggest signed import to play for the Jets was Brandon...
and Harbour Heat
Harbour Heat
The Harbour Heat are a New Zealand professional basketball team that competes in the National Basketball League . They play their home fixtures at the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland, Auckland Region.-Roster:-External links:...
. They left them self in a good position to reach the playoffs for the first time in their first season only needing to win two of four away games to end the 2010 New Zealand NBL season
2010 New Zealand NBL season
The 2010 New Zealand National Basketball League was the 29th season of the New Zealand NBL. In the 90-game regular season began on Thursday, 4 March and concluded on Friday, 19 June 2010....
.
Their away trip began with the Sharks losing in overtime to the second place Waikato Pistons at Hamilton Boys' High School
Hamilton Boys' High School
Hamilton Boys' High School is a boys' secondary school in Hamilton, New Zealand. The school was established as Hamilton High School in 1903 but was later split into separate boys' and girls' schools. The school crest features a lion, sash and star, and bears the motto "Sapiens Fortunam Fingit Sibi"...
. They then came one win closer to the playoffs with a win against the Taranaki Mountainairs
Taranaki Mountainairs
Taranaki Mountain Airs are a New Zealand professional basketball team that compete in the National Basketball League. They have previously been known as the New Plymouth Bulls , the Taranaki Bears , the Taranaki Oilers and the Devon Dynamos Taranaki .They play their home games at TSB Stadium in...
with René Rougeau
René Rougeau (basketball)
René Anthony Rougeau is an American professional basketball player. He attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he starred in his four seasons with the Runnin' Rebels....
grabbing another double-double with 32 points and 10 rebounds. A loss to the Nelson Giants
Nelson Giants
The Fico Finance Nelson Giants are a basketball team that play in the National Basketball League in New Zealand. Their home games are played at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson....
saw the Sharks needing to beat the lowly Manawatu Jets
Manawatu Jets
The Manawatu Jets, formerly referred to as the Palmerston North Jets, are a professional basketball team that play in the New Zealand National Basketball League. They play their home games at Arena Manawatu in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The biggest signed import to play for the Jets was Brandon...
looking to spoil the Sharks party. They couldn't however with Rougeau
René Rougeau (basketball)
René Anthony Rougeau is an American professional basketball player. He attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he starred in his four seasons with the Runnin' Rebels....
scoring 25 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, it was just out of reach for the Mountainairs
Taranaki Mountainairs
Taranaki Mountain Airs are a New Zealand professional basketball team that compete in the National Basketball League. They have previously been known as the New Plymouth Bulls , the Taranaki Bears , the Taranaki Oilers and the Devon Dynamos Taranaki .They play their home games at TSB Stadium in...
with the Sharks victorious 96-88. With the win sealing a playoff spot for the Sharks.
2011: Promising Squad
The Sharks have announced the re-signings of Gareth Dawson
Gareth Dawson
Gareth Dawson is a professional basketball player from Timaru, New Zealand. He has played in the New Zealand NBL for several seasons with the Manawatu Jets and has since signed with the Southland Sharks for 2010...
, James Paringatai
James Paringatai
James Paringatai is a New Zealand born professional basketball player. He currently plays for the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League....
, Ian Cathcart
Ian Cathcart
Ian Cathcart is a professional basketball player from New Zealand. Cathcart starred for the North Otago Penguins in the CBL for many years and became an integral part of their squad. Cathcart also plays at the NBL level, previously playing for the Otago Nuggets and the Southland Sharks.-External...
and Paratene McLeod
Paratene McLeod
Paratene McLeod is a New Zealand professional basketball player of the Southland Sharks basketball team in the New Zealand National Basketball League....
for the 2011 season. They have also picked up Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
-based guard Sam Dobbs and local talent Tim Campbell
Timothy Campbell
Timothy "Tim" Campbell is an English businessman best known as the winner of the first series of the British version of The Apprentice, a BBC TV reality show in which contestants battle to win a £100,000-a-year job working for businessman Alan Sugar...
.
The Sharks have since confirmed they have lured former Tall Blacks
New Zealand national basketball team
The New Zealand national basketball team represents New Zealand in international basketball competitions. It is nicknamed the Tall Blacks, derived from the name of New Zealand's Rugby union team, the All Blacks.-History:...
point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
Mark Dickel
Mark Dickel
Mark Dickel is a New Zealand professional basketball player. He also holds Australian citizenship. He plays the point guard position, and played the 2011 NBL season for the Southland Sharks, which saw him play under his brother.-College career:Dickel played college basketball in the U.S...
home for the 2011 season, with the goal to re-make the Tall Blacks
New Zealand national basketball team
The New Zealand national basketball team represents New Zealand in international basketball competitions. It is nicknamed the Tall Blacks, derived from the name of New Zealand's Rugby union team, the All Blacks.-History:...
. Dickel will play under his brother Richard who will return as head coach.
Former Tall Blacks
New Zealand national basketball team
The New Zealand national basketball team represents New Zealand in international basketball competitions. It is nicknamed the Tall Blacks, derived from the name of New Zealand's Rugby union team, the All Blacks.-History:...
small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
Brendon Polyblank has also signed with the team for 2011 making the Sharks a serious contender for the title.
Current roster
- DP = Development Player
- I = Import
- YKP = Young Kiwi Player
Returning from 2010
Ian CathcartIan Cathcart
Ian Cathcart is a professional basketball player from New Zealand. Cathcart starred for the North Otago Penguins in the CBL for many years and became an integral part of their squad. Cathcart also plays at the NBL level, previously playing for the Otago Nuggets and the Southland Sharks.-External...
Gareth Dawson
Gareth Dawson
Gareth Dawson is a professional basketball player from Timaru, New Zealand. He has played in the New Zealand NBL for several seasons with the Manawatu Jets and has since signed with the Southland Sharks for 2010...
/
Martin ItiMartin Iti
Martin Iti is an Australian-born New Zealand professional basketball player currently representing the Sydney Kings in the Australian National Basketball League....
Paratene McLeod
Paratene McLeod
Paratene McLeod is a New Zealand professional basketball player of the Southland Sharks basketball team in the New Zealand National Basketball League....
James Paringatai
James Paringatai
James Paringatai is a New Zealand born professional basketball player. He currently plays for the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League....
Andrew Wheeler
Andrew Wheeler
Andrew Wheeler is a member of the Southland Sharks basketball team in the New Zealand National Basketball League. Wheeler is a local from Invercargill and signed with the club in 2009...
Izaac Williams
Izaac Williams
Izaac Williams is a New Zealand professional basketball player who currently plays for the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League. Williams grew up in Invercargill, Southland, and had a promising career in Squash before turning to basketball, trialing and earning himself a...
/
Bubba Lau'eseBubba Lau'ese
Bubba Lau'ese is a New Zealand-born Samoan professional basketball player. Lau'ese played Rugby union in Invercargill, Southland for the Excelsior Rugby Club narrowly missing out on the Manu Samoa squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup...
Mike Rose
Mike Rose (basketball)
Michael Rose is an American professional basketball player. He plays at shooting guard or small forward. He plays for the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League. He averaged 22.6ppg in seven games for the side and was 7th in the league in points and steals.-College:Rose...
In for 2011
Tim CampbellTimothy Campbell
Timothy "Tim" Campbell is an English businessman best known as the winner of the first series of the British version of The Apprentice, a BBC TV reality show in which contestants battle to win a £100,000-a-year job working for businessman Alan Sugar...
Mark Dickel
Mark Dickel
Mark Dickel is a New Zealand professional basketball player. He also holds Australian citizenship. He plays the point guard position, and played the 2011 NBL season for the Southland Sharks, which saw him play under his brother.-College career:Dickel played college basketball in the U.S...
Kaniel Dickens
Kaniel Dickens
Kaniel Dickens is a 203cm-tall American professional basketball player who was selected by the Utah Jazz in the 2nd round in the 2000 NBA Draft. In August 2009 he signed a contract with the French Pro A team SLUC Nancy...
Sylvester Spicer Sam Dobbs Jordan Lawley Dan Peck Brendon Polyblank Rhys Smolenski Aaron Holland Kevin Braswell Luka Pavlovic
Former Players
Pete BurgessPete Burgess
Peter Burgess is a New Zealand professional basketball player. Burgess previously played for the Otago Nuggets and is close friends with Sharks Forward-Center Gareth Dawson who he has played with.-External links:*...
Mike Helms
Mike Helms
Mike Helms is an American basketball player who played guard at Oakland University. He was named to the Mid-Continent Conference All-League team three years in a row and the Mid-Con Conference Player of the Year in 2003...
Luke Martin
Luke Martin
Luke Martin, is a professional basketball player and former international for the Australian Boomers. Martin spent three seasons in the Australian National squad from 2003–2005 and picked up several international caps...
/
Daniel MundayDaniel Munday
Daniel Munday is a professional basketball player. He debuted in the NZNBL in 2009 for the Harbour Heat after four seasons at the American Ouachita Baptist University. Munday came of the bench for the Heat in all their regular season and one playoff game...
Rene Rougeau
René Rougeau (basketball)
René Anthony Rougeau is an American professional basketball player. He attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he starred in his four seasons with the Runnin' Rebels....
/
Mark DickelMark Dickel
Mark Dickel is a New Zealand professional basketball player. He also holds Australian citizenship. He plays the point guard position, and played the 2011 NBL season for the Southland Sharks, which saw him play under his brother.-College career:Dickel played college basketball in the U.S...
Coaching staff
Head Coach- Richard DickelRichard DickelRichard Dickel is the current coach of the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League . Dickel, who is based in Invercargill has previously played for the Waikato Pistons and Otago Nuggets in the NZNBL and has now began a career in coaching...
Assistant Coach
- Trevor Ryder
General Manager
- Jill Bolger
Manager
- Murray Heath
Video Analyst
- Bert Tobia
Trainer
- Sid Cumming
Physiotherapist
- Jeff Walker
Media coverage
Southland Sharks game highlights and player interviews are broadcast weekly on InvercargillInvercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
-based television channel Cue TV. The Southland Times
The Southland Times
The Southland Times is the regional daily paper for Southland, including Invercargill, and neighbouring parts of Otago, in New Zealand.-History:...
newspaper also feature Sharks content daily including a blog written by head coach Richard Dickel
Richard Dickel
Richard Dickel is the current coach of the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League . Dickel, who is based in Invercargill has previously played for the Waikato Pistons and Otago Nuggets in the NZNBL and has now began a career in coaching...
, game day coverage and advertisements.