The millions of dollars allocated towards a new basketball stadium at Hillsborough will give the booming sport a "massive boost", Newcastle Basketball general manager Neil Goffet says.
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"It's the biggest, most significant investment in Newcastle basketball history," Mr Goffet said.
"It will make us one of the biggest indoor stadiums in the state, if not the biggest. We'll attract a lot of events that we previously haven't been capable of hosting."
The NSW government allocated $13.4 million in Tuesday's state budget towards a $25 million stadium.
"The $25 million is announced in the forward estimates. The $13.4 million has been budgeted for the next 12 months, with the remainder coming - I would assume - at the June budget next year," Mr Goffet said.
The next steps were to engage consultants and lodge a development application with Lake Macquarie City Council, which Mr Goffet said had been "extremely helpful in all dealings so far".
The matter had triggered the old rivalry between Newcastle and Lake Macquarie councils, with the stadium to move across the border.
The new stadium will have 10 full-sized courts with seating for 4000 spectators. The Broadmeadow stadium has only two full-sized courts of the six courts in use.
"We've missed out on hosting finals from senior competitions and national junior tournaments," Mr Goffet said.
"To host those finals, you need three full-sized courts. There are many things we've missed out on because the stadium is not compliant."
Funding for the new stadium is expected to push the sport's revival to new heights.
"We're at the point now where we have to turn teams away because we can't fit them in," Mr Goffet said.
"You don't want to turn anyone away from playing sport.
"We'll battle away for the next couple of years, but I'm sure we'll fill the 10 courts at the new stadium the day they're open."
He said Newcastle-raised Ben Simmons, who stars in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76rs, had "done wonders for interest in the sport in Newcastle".
Including Simmons, Australia had nine players in the NBA in 2018-19.
"Nationally and internationally, basketball is booming," Mr Goffet said.
New technology and streaming services meant a lot more people were watching the NBA.
"Kids can pay $200 and watch every NBA game for 12 months," he said.
"The NBL [in Australia] has done a great job. It's getting bumper crowds now.
"There's been a massive revival. Hopefully it can stay this way. We've seen big swings in the past, then it dies off and comes good again."
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