NBL1 East Honours ANZACS

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; 
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 
At the going down of the sun and in the morning 
We will remember them."

This weekend (21^st – 25^th of April) marks the upcoming ANZAC Round, in which the Coles Express NBL1 will honour the Australian and New Zealand service men and women.

Each team in the NBL1 East conference will honour the service of troops past and present in their own unique way, and this round promises to be a standout of the season.

“The ANZAC Round is a really special round for the league and clubs. It’s a time for local communities to come together and pay their respects to Australian and New Zealand service men and women,” NBL1 General Manager Dean Anglin said.

“We’re excited to introduce the ANZAC Medal in each of the NBL1 games this year, a tradition from NBL1 Central that has been extended nationally in 2023.”

The Sutherland Sharks players will don a specially designed uniform for the ANZAC Round, that pays homage and tribute to the ANZAC spirit and all the service men and women. A panel of red poppies lines the jersey and short sides – which is recognised as a commemorative flower of remembrance. The flower recognises those who lost their lives or suffered in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations – a symbol and tradition that began in the early 1900’s, after World War I. The back of the jersey features soldiers in front of ‘The Rising Sun Badge’, as well as ‘Lest We Forget’ underneath it. Proudly worn by soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Force in both World Wars, the 'Rising Sun' badge has become an integral part of the digger tradition. The distinctive shape of the badge, worn on the upturned side of a slouch hat, is commonly identified with the spirit of Anzac. 

The Sharks will wear this jersey for their match against Indonesia on Sunday, as well as on Tuesday the 25^th of April, where they will be hosting the Illawarra Hawks – where both teams will be looking for a win in the inaugural Freeway Cup. The game-day proceedings will also include an Acknowledgement of Country, the Australian National Anthem, the Last Post will be played, followed by a Minute’s Silence and sounding of the Rouce. 

“I’m very excited to be playing for the Freeway Cup,” Illawarra Hawks Women’s head coach Tom Cranney said. “There’s always been a great rivalry between our two teams and it’s nice for it to be recognised and given some more significance. Hopefully it will be great for basketball in the region as the rivalry grows and becomes an event we can look forward to for years to come. And playing on a day that means so much to the country, gives the game much more meaning.”

The Central Coast Crusaders will also be hosting an ANZAC Day home game on Saturday the 22^nd of April against the Maitland Mustangs. The Crusaders will have a representative from their local Memorial Club reading the Ode of Remembrance, and presenting the ANZAC Round medals.

The Coles Express NBL1 East would also like to acknowledge and recognise the players and staff that have personal connections to ANZAC day:

• Cassie Pentney (Hills Hornets): her brother and father have served in the defence force.
• James Toohey (Canberra Gunners): both his parents in the defence force, and James currently is working as a Defence Force Consultant.
• Jeremy Jones (Sutherland Sharks Women’s Head Coach): used to serve in the defence force.
• Lewis Holey (Norths Bears): his grandfather served as an ANZAC in WWII.
• Luke Cassidy (Central Coast Crusaders): his brother is currently serving in the defence force.

All games will be streamed live and free on NBL1.com.au, the NBL1 Website and NBL1 App, while the Games of the Week will be on Kayo Freebies.

Head to the NBL1 Website or the NBL1 App to see the schedule for ANZAC Round.

We will remember them. Lest we forget.