A NEW support arrangement between Bendigo Bank Spirit and Bendigo Stadium Limited is set to ensure the long-term survival of the city's WNBL team.
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The new deal, announced on Thursday, will see the Spirit move under the Bendigo Stadium banner in a move designed to bring all of the city's basketball organisations under one roof.
It gives the Spirit administration a permanent base at Bendigo Stadium.
The new deal comes as work on a major $22 million expansion of the stadium continues at Bendigo West.
BSL chairman Brendon Goddard said the new structure would benefit basketball across the city and throughout regional Victoria.
“Bendigo is known for its fantastic basketball teams and achievements on the national stage, and we are pleased that our national women’s team can enjoy the local support we are able to provide to our other teams," he said.
“With our new facilities about to come on line it’s the perfect time for all our local and national basketball teams to be under the one roof.”
The new agreement puts an end to the Spirit having to work from offices away from their home playing base.
They currently operate from the offices of PEAK Sport Australia in Bull Street.
Spirit chairman Greg Bickley said the deal was a long-time coming.
"We're excited to be able pool our resources and take advantage of the long-standing expertise of the Bendigo Stadium," he said.
"Of course they will continue to be a major sponsor of ours, but it's the administrative support, support with looking after our finances and integrating our staff into the BSL model that will deliver benefits to not only the Spirit, but Bendigo basketball more generally."
The deal is expected to secure the pathway of talented young basketballers from across central Victoria, with closer ties being forged between the Spirit and Bendigo Braves organisation.
Gabe Richards, who has been a part of the Spirit since their inception in 2007 and previously played with the Lady Braves, said the new deal was a win for basketball at all levels in Bendigo.
"Obviously I've been here since the formation of the Spirit and I have known the hard work and things that have gone on every year to try and keep this team on the court," she said.
"To know have our future secured and be a part of BSL is incredible.
"I think it's a real credit to those people who believed in the Spirit and stuck with it year in and year out."
