The Wollongong Hawks have made a compelling case for inclusion in the new national basketball competition.
Amid mounting speculation the NewNBL was on the verge of unveiling grand plans for the 2009-10 season, the Hawks continue to bolster their bid.
Although the club is still $80,000 short of raising $500,000 in working capital, Save the Hawks spokesman Mat Campbell remained optimistic about the region's prospects of being represented in the revamped league.
Indian magnate saves Wollongong Hawks PROFILE: 'Kolkata boy' Arun Kumar Jagatramka SLIDESHOW: A tribute to the Wollongong HawksHe believes the Hawks have left Basketball Australia officials with no choice but to grant Wollongong a place in the NewNBL.
"I've had very positive conversations with some key people in the last seven days and nothing I've heard has affected my confidence," Campbell said.
"They wanted to know a few more details with our bid in terms of how the company will be set up and structured, the people involved and a few other ins and outs in relation to our budget, but everything's gone well.
"There's no big issues regarding our bid. It's mostly just been about crossing the Is and dotting the Ts with a few legal things, and that's to be expected."
The main problem initially for the Hawks was securing the required million-dollar bank guarantee, but Indian businessman Arun Jagatramka solved that when he signed as guarantor last week.
Campbell said reaching $500,000 in capital had become the Hawks' priority.
"We cover pretty much everything in the criteria, such as having a naming rights sponsor (Australian Health Management), community support and season tickets, media support and our involvement in local and state basketball associations, so now it's really all about getting that capital up to at least half a million dollars," he said.
"Sponsorship and season tickets are the traditional forms of revenue-raising, but we've got some fresh ideas in the pipeline to help in that area and we're launching our membership packages very soon.
"The main thing for us now is to really follow up the $5000 foundation pledges that have been made and we're looking for at least another 15 foundation members to get us over the last hurdle.
"I'm still not sure what the league is looking for with how many teams they want or if there's some ideal number, but the indications I've been getting has always been the more the merrier."
Basketball Australia is yet to confirm when it will reveal which teams will comprise the new league, although rumours persist that an announcement could be made in Melbourne today coinciding with the attempt at the dribbling world record to be held in Federation Square.
BA said it would hold a media conference to unveil its new chief executive officer immediately following today's world record attempt and NewNBL brand launch.
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