Related: Petition draws 2000 signatures
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THE Bendigo Spirit board chose not to endorse a petition circulated by Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters opposing the ABC's decision to stop televising WNBL matches from next season.
Ms Chesters gained signatures at three Bendigo Spirit matches while standing in front of Bendigo Stadium over the last month.
The club released a statement via its Facebook page last month outlining its position in regards to the ABC's decision to stop broadcasting the matches from next season.
The statement said any petition on the Bendigo Spirit's behalf was not associated with the club.
"The Spirit also does not support or endorse any political party, and is in no way associated with any activity, petition or public campaign that may be undertaken by any political parties," the statement read.
Board members contacted by the Bendigo Advertiser chose not to comment on the petition or say whether they signed it.
The petition was tabled in federal parliament on Wednesday.
The WNBL and Basketball Australia will advocate on behalf of all clubs impacted by the changes, and has received support from each club.
The ABC has broadcast WNBL matches for 35 years, but the partnership is likely to end at the end of the season.
Several clubs live stream matches on their websites in anticipation of the changes.
The statement from the Bendigo Spirit said the decision to stop broadcasting WNBL matches would disproportionately hurt regional communities.
"The Australian Pork Bendigo Spirit calls on the ABC to re-commit to televising the WNBL next season," the statement read.
"The ABC's decision to penalise regional Australia, and it's Sydney-centric mentality will hurt our club.
"We completely disagree with the ABC propping up back office functions in Sydney at the expense of programs that support regional Australia."
