Tradition dictates in sport that when the visiting team takes the field of play, the opposition fans boo them.
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The WIN Entertainment Centre and Illawarra Hawks fans have taken to that tradition well and give the visiting team a right serve when they enter the arena for an NBL game. Well, Hawkheads, not Saturday night.
This is a passionate plea to put away the unwelcoming boo when the New Zealand Breakers take the court for their NBL clash against the Illawarra Hawks on Saturday night. Instead, stand and applaud like you've never applauded before.
If it was not for the extraordinary sacrifice of the New Zealand Breakers, this extended and arduous NBL season probably wouldn't have happened.
These New Zealand players have been stranded in Australia since December, away from all family and friends in their homeland.
Travelling from city to city, from state to state dodging COVID hotspots and managing last minute schedule changes.
Look we understand this is just basketball, it's not war.
Yet, as anyone who has spent a large amount of time stranded away from family can tell you, it is the toughest time no matter whatever the reason.
Tonight's game will be the New Zealand Breakers' last before they head home to reunite with their loved ones and play out the remainder of the season in the land of the long white cloud.
To recognise the sacrifice of the New Zealand players, with the help of our good friends at Destination Wollongong, we arranged for some special packs to be delivered to the player's hotel rooms on Friday at the Novotel.
Why Hawkheads SHOULD NOT boo the NZ Breakers tonightIt included some goodies and a thank you letter from the Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery recognising their sacrifice.
So tonight we call on the Illawarra to put away the boos before the start of the game.
While the game is on boo for all your life.
But before and when it finishes, let's all join together and thank the NZ Breakers on court with a standing ovation in recognition of what they have done.
To the NZ Breakers, we can say from the bottom of our heart, you've been "choice bro".
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Julian O'Brien
Editor of the Illawarra Mercury and former editor of The Advocate (North-West Tasmania). Journalism is simply about telling good stories well and we do so now across a broader platform than ever before. Our role as a regional masthead is to not only share the stories our readers care about but to be a passionate torch bearers for community at every opportunity. We are stronger together.
Editor of the Illawarra Mercury and former editor of The Advocate (North-West Tasmania). Journalism is simply about telling good stories well and we do so now across a broader platform than ever before. Our role as a regional masthead is to not only share the stories our readers care about but to be a passionate torch bearers for community at every opportunity. We are stronger together.
