THE Newcastle Falcons are getting the band back together.
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Former Falcons of all ages and body shapes will gather to play a reunion exhibition game at Broadmeadow on September 24 to raise funds for cancer research, and to support the Hunter Sports Group’s bid for Newcastle to return to the National Basketball League.
The Falcons represented Newcastle in the NBL from the foundation year of 1979 until their demise in 1999.
Organiser Adam Melmeth, a life-long Falcons fan and former Hunter Pirates player, said he had confirmation from 15 players including his older brother Ben, who represented Australia at the 1998 world championships while playing for the Falcons.
Other confirmed starters include Butch Hays, Martin McLean, Grant Kruger, Matt Low, Greg Blake, Len Solman, Damien Robertson, Matt Moore, Michael Kubank and Tony Blyth.
Players being sounded out include 1996 Atlanta Olympian Tonny Jensen, retiring Port Adelaide AFL ruckman Dean Brogan, former Falcons player and coach Dave Ankeney, Pat Reidy, Dave Simmons, brothers Terry and Rod Johnson and Chris Steele.
Long-retired players living in Newcastle and the Hunter are all invited.
Denis Kibble and Tim Mallon have been pencilled in as likely coaches, former Falcons player and coach Bob Turner has been contacted for his support, and Ken Clifford and Scott Beker are the referees of choice to represent past and present.
Ian ‘‘Moose’’ Robilliard has sent his apologies as he will be on coaching duty with the Sydney Kings at the NBL pre-season tournament in Brisbane. Shawn Dennis, the assistant coach of the Perth Wildcats, will be absent due to the same commitment.
Melmeth said players would be divided into two teams after numbers had been confirmed. One team would play in a brown, green and white strip – the club’s foundation colours; the other in blue, red and white – the colours the Falcons wore in their final years.
‘‘Other than Marty McLean, who is ultra-competitive, I don’t think there’s going to be too many of them taking it too seriously. But they’re all athletes and while I’m sure it will start out as a bit of fun, it might get a bit more serious in the last quarter,’’ Melmeth said.
On the serious side, funds raised will be forwarded to the Cancer Council of Australia. Adam and Ben’s father, Paul Melmeth, died in August 2005 after developing acute myeloid leukaemia.
‘‘The whole thing has two strings attached to my heart – the Falcons, and raising money for cancer research, so there will be different things on the night to raise awareness for that because everyone is touched by cancer,’’ Adam said.
‘‘The other thing is getting the Falcons name back out there. I love the Pirates for giving me the chance to play in the NBL but the Falcons are what Newcastle basketball and the NBL are all about.’’
Tickets will be on sale at the Waratah Basketball League finals at Broadmeadow on August 27 and 28.
Any former Falcons players, officials or staff interested in playing in or supporting can contact Adam Melmeth on the Newcastle Falcons Reunion facebook page, or at the Newcastle Basketball Stadium office at Broadmeadow (49613185).
