Make Southland a fortress, Sharks fans urged
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By LOGAN SAVORY - The Southland Times
The Southland team will play their first-ever NBL game that night when they take on the Hawke's Bay Hawks in Invercargill.
Bolger believes the general interest throughout the province regarding the Sharks is high but so far that hadn't transferred into ticket sales for their debut game.
"We know Southlanders leave things to the last minute. We just hope they do turn up and get in behind the team," she said yesterday.
"I think the visiting teams will be expecting a hostile crowd at the stadium. They would have seen it on TV with the netball and it would be good to think it can be the same for the Sharks."
The capacity for Saturday night's game at Stadium Southland is 2341 but Bolger said it was a "complete unknown" as to how close to that mark they would get.
She admitted to a a few nerves leading into this weekend as the Southland Basketball Association's dream turns into a reality when the Sharks take the court for the first time.
"I don't think many people actually realise how much hard work has gone into making this happen. I'm not nervous about the game or the players, we have got a really good group of players.
"I'm more nervous about getting the crowd there and that when they go away they'll be happy with the package that we've put on for them."
The Sharks board hadn't budgeted on ensuring they had big crowds, so wouldn't take a financial hit if people didn't flock through the stadium doors, she said.
However, Bolger said to confirm the move to start up a NBL team in the city was the right one they needed to get the backing of the public during the next three years.
On the playing front, Bolger would love for the Sharks to start the new era in Southland basketball with a victory over the Hawks.
Hawke's Bay last year finished sixth in a nine-team compet-ition, winning seven of their 16 games.
They will be an ideal gauge to see where the Sharks are as they test the new waters of the NBL.
logan.savory@stl.co.nz
THE LOWDOWN
What: National Basketball League
Who: Southland Sharks v Hawke's Bay Hawks
When: Saturday, 7pm
Where: Stadium Southland, Invercargill
