Basketball in the loop

By Paul Pickering
THERE were signs last week that a spiteful sporting feud may have ended in Knox.
Members of Knox City Council conceded that its relationship with Knox Basketball Incorporated (KBI), the municipality’s most profitable sporting organisation, has been sour at best.
The concession was made at last Tuesday’s strategic planning committee meeting at which the council unveiled the terms of reference for the new Knox Basketball Stadiums Working Party (KBSWP).
While both parties are approaching the union with caution, they are excited about finally playing on the same team.
Comprising four councillors and four KBI representatives, the working party will advise on future basketball infrastructure requirements in Knox.
The council’s appointees are mayor and Baird Ward councillor Jim Penna, Scott Ward councillor David Cooper, Friberg Ward councillor Debbie Field and Dinsdale Ward councillor Adam Gill.
KBI will be represented by CEO Laurie Joyce, chairman Bill Fenton, vice chairman Steve Douglas-Watson and treasurer Alan Munt.
While KBI’s primary objective of expanding the Knox Basketball Stadium in Boronia is far from being realised, both parties saw the symbolic value of the bipartisan group. Cr Cooper was frank in his assessment of past and future relations.
“It’s well known that there has been a lot of spite between us,” he admitted, “but now we can put it behind us and get together.”
When informed of the appointments on Wednesday, Mr Joyce was similarly optimistic.
“We didn’t have a great relationship.
“There were times when we didn’t feel like we’d got a good hearing,” he said.
“But I fully support (the formation of KBSWP) and look forward to working with them.”
The group will report its recommendations to the council by December this year, a deadline that will coincide with the Federal Election campaign.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood, who will be seeking re-election later this year, was clearly enthused by the new group. “I congratulate them,” he said.
“Now they’re working together and that is fantastic.”
With both Knox City Council and KBI foreshadowing a bid for Federal funding, Mr Wood moved to confirm his intentions.
“I will support any application for Federal funding and lobby on its behalf,” he said.
Mr Wood joined Mr Joyce in noting that the first step of the process would be to identify a preferred site for a new stadium.