Fri
Sep 5, 2025
'A lot of people hurt by it': Savage weighs in on Thunder's bid rejection
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Story By Jacob Bevis The Advocate
"Everyone in the community is deeply hurt" by the rejection of the North West Thunder's bid for an NBL1 South license.
That's the view of mainstay Kye Savage, after Basketball Tasmania confirmed the formation of a newly established entity proposed by the Launceston Tornadoes ahead of the 2026 season.
"There's obviously been a lot of people hurt by the decision," Savage said.
"Our club has done a great job [throughout the process], our chairman, James Leslie, handled it super professionally.
"Everyone in the community is deeply hurt by it, especially our playing group. We had a special group this year, and bonded very well together."
Savage is not the only player to speak out about the decision, with recently signed Cairns recruit Reyne Smith weighing in on social media: "The pathway for athletes on the North-West Coast clearly wasn't working".
It comes after Basketball Victoria, who run the semi-professional competition, announced in April that the men's and women's programs must operate under the same licence.
The Thunder submitted a revised application last month, with support from the eight NWBU clubs, but BTas has endorsed the Tornadoes' proposal.
The newly established Northern Tasmania Basketball Club is set to play 11 home games in 2026, with a fifty-fifty split between Launceston and Ulverstone.
Savage, who started with the Thunder as a 16-year-old, said the program helped prepare him for his time at the Centre of Excellence and with the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL.
"I was able to pick the minds of many professionals and coaching staff, such as Nick Haywood and Sam Armstrong," he said.
The Devonport junior was undecided on whether he would suit up for the new club, but hoped the model would give "equal opportunities" to the North and North-West.
"Not being biased, but I think the best decision was to [base it on the Coast], but obviously not in Basketball Tasmania's minds," he said.
"We've just got to move on now because there's nothing we can do. We've got to look into the future and what's best for the next generation."
Details, including branding, player rosters and coaches, will be determined in the coming weeks.
The North West Thunder was contacted for comment.
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