The State Basketball League has released a revised finals structure for both its Men’s and Women’s competition that will come into effect for the upcoming 2016 season.

Basketball WA Competitions Manager, Adam Bowler was positive about the revised structure and agreed the previous system was flawed.

“Upon analysing the current finals structure and gaining feedback from stakeholders, it was almost unanimous that there was a disparity which required immediate attention” Bowler said

“After an in-depth review, the SBL Commission has approved a change which we believe is a fair and equitable concept for all involved”.

The first two rounds of the finals structure will continue using three game playoff series, however the higher finishing team will now host game one and three, rather than the previous scenario where the top teams played away for game one and home for games two and three.

The major hurdle for the SBL was to put a system in place which allowed for the logistical issues with any playoff series involving Geraldton and Goldfields.

To combat this, the SBL with the support of the fourteen Associations have agreed, any playoff series involving Geraldton or Goldfields will be played under the previous format with the higher ranked team playing away for game one, then home for games two and three.

Mr. Bowler expressed that having two separate finals scenarios was not ideal, however was necessary to allow the re-structure to take place.

“The league and the clubs agreed the financial and logistical implications would be detrimental to those involved if this particular clause was not established” Bowler said.

The restructure of the SBL finals can be found below as a PDF attachment.

The ‘SBL Blitz’ pre-season tournament takes place at Warwick Stadium on March 5 & 6 with the official 2016 season to commence on March 18.

Keep up to date with all of the league news via the SBL website www.sbl.asn.au.

Photo by Mick Cronin