From the Top End to the Red Centre, the Territory is the place to be for first-class sport this weekend, with the National Wheelchair Basketball League (NWBL) Finals taking place in Darwin and the AFL game between Melbourne Football Club and Port Adelaide kicking off in Alice Springs.
The Territory is increasingly the host for professional sporting events that not only provide opportunities for Territorians, but also draw teams and their support crews here, attract interstate fans and see the Territory broadcast around the nation and even overseas.
The NWBL Finals began Friday night and run until Sunday at Darwin Basketball Stadium, while the AFL game takes place this Sunday at TIO Traeger Park in the Red Centre. As last season’s premiership winners, the Demons will bring the AFL premiership cup with them.
This is the first time the NWBL Finals will take place in the Territory, and comes at a time when interest in the sport is building locally. The new Darwin Salties NBL1 team is attracting plenty of attention and is the most-watched NBL1 team of the competition, and the NBL Blitz, the code’s pre-season tournament, will take place in Darwin in September for the first time this year. Tickets for the NWBL Finals are available at https://nwblwnwblfinalsday1.intix.com/?action=tickets&fbclid=IwAR1Sly3L9ldyBQi8oswGiUe1tBzk3VNH3VXcQZXYZGdwcjrCczg54Kt573w here
The much-loved AFL game returns to Alice Springs after a hiatus last year thanks to COVID, and is part of the Northern Territory Government’s partnership with AFL. This also sees the Gold Coast SUNS play a game in Darwin. While in town, Melbourne will take part in a number of community engagement initiatives, including football clinics and a visit to Santa Teresa. Tickets for the Alice game are available at here.
Quotes from Minister for Major Events, Paul Kirby:
“The Territory is a fantastic location for pro sporting events, with our incredible weather, great sporting facilities and plenty for travelling teams and fans to do and see while they are here.
“It’s a win for all involved and the Northern Territory Government will continue to support professional sporting events, and leverage the benefits. A great recent example is the NBL Blitz pre-season tournament, which will head to the Territory in September.”
Quotes from Minister for Sport, Kate Worden:
“We are seeing an increasing number of sporting events head north, which is great for the Territory in a number of ways.
“It provides Territorians the chance to watch world-class athletes without having to travel interstate; our up-and-coming sporting stars benefit from community engagement initiatives; and audiences across the country and even overseas are introduced to the Territory.”
Northern Territory Government
