Gold Coast Blaze

History

In November 2006, the NBL announced a Gold Coast team would join the competition in the 2007–08 season after a licence was granted to a consortium headed by former Adelaide 36ers coach David Claxton. The franchise was initially owned by Claxton and local businessmen Tom Tate and Owen Tomlinson. It was announced that the team would play its home games at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

In February 2007, the team name was revealed to be the Gold Coast Blaze. There had been a voting competition where 'Heat' had won as the preferred name, but it was not able to be considered following objections from the NBA and the Miami Heat.

Brendan Joyce was the team's inaugural head coach, while Scott McGregor, Juaquin Hawkins, Pero Cameron and Casey Frank were notable inaugural signings. The 2008–09 season saw Shane Heal join the Blaze.

In May 2012, the Blaze entered voluntary administration. They later joined forces with the Gold Coast Basketball Association and reverted to a community model. They reportedly received a $500,000 cash injection from a mystery fan.

On 17 July 2012, the Blaze were withdrawn from the NBL by owners, Owen and Ben Tomlinson. Basketball Australia had ordered the Tomlinsons to post a $1 million bank guarantee before granting them a licence for the 2012–13 season. The Tomlinsons, who had earlier declared they had secured the finances to operate in the 2012–13 season, had already reappointed staff when they were informed their submission would not be granted. Basketball Australia had given the owners until the end of the month to provide "irrefutable evidence" they could operate a team and repay their debts to the league; the Tomlinsons instead decided to withdraw from the league and dissolve the franchise.

Notable former players

• AUS Jason Cadee 2 seasons: '10-'12
• NZL Pero Cameron 3 seasons: '07-'10
• DOM Adris Deleon 1 season: '11-'12
• AUS Tom Garlepp 2 seasons: '10-'12
• AUS Chris Goulding 3 seasons: '09-'12
• AUS Shane Heal 1 season: '08-'09
• AUS Ater Majok 1 season: '11-'11
• AUS Scott McGregor 2 seasons: '07-'09
• AUS Anthony Petrie 3 seasons: '09-'12
• USA Luke Whitehead 2 seasons: '07-'09
• AUS Mark Worthington 2 seasons: '10-'12

Honour roll

Season by season

References

References

1. (21 November 2006). "Gold Coast to join NBL". ABC News.
2. (21 November 2006). "Gold Coast 'will be ready to rumble'". The Sydney Morning Herald.
3. (23 February 2007). "Gold Coast sets NBL a Blaze". NBL.com.au.
4. (5 February 2007). "Joyce ready for next challenge". NBL.com.au.
5. (10 May 2012). "Blaze in administrators' hands". ABC News.
6. (18 July 2012). "Blaze up in smoke as owners walk away". goldcoast.com.au.
7. (18 July 2012). "Gold Coast Blaze out of the NBL". The Sydney Morning Herald.
8. (18 July 2012). "NBL must learn from Gold Coast Blaze demise". michaeldifabrizio.com.