When the Illawarra Hawks take the court for their National Basketball League semi-final on Saturday it will almost be a year to the day since they arose from the ashes of the failed previous ownership.
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A year on and the new-look Illawarra Hawks will be chasing the NBL foundation club's only second ever NBL title with a must-win semi-final against the Perth Wildcats at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday night.
"It is a fairy tale," Hawks part-owner and president Dorry Kordahi said.
"It's been an unbelievable journey for all of us involved. For every player, for every staff member this is a testament to their hard work and commitment. To be sitting third on the ladder right now is an unbelievable moment for our organisation."
Mr Kordahi was speaking before boarding a plane with the Hawks, who will play the first semi against the Wildcats in Perth tonight with tip-off at 9.30 pm AEST.
Tickets for the second of the best-of-three series at the WEC on Saturday night will go on sale to the general public via Ticketmaster at 2pm Thursday. If the third game is needed in the series it will be in Perth on Monday.
Mr Kordahi said he has a special surprise planned for Illawarra Hawks supporters attending on Saturday, to be revealed in coming days.
"We're doing something very exciting which we think will be a first for Hawks fans," Mr Kordahi said.
"We are looking to paint the town red and show the Wildcats supporters, known as the Red Army, we're right behind our team."
We need the fans to get out there and be the 'sixth man' they are for us to get this win.
- Dorry Kordahi
Members have been able to pre-purchase tickets before the opening of tickets to the general public and Mr Kordahi said he hoped Saturday night's game would sellout before tip-off.
"This club needs the local community to get behind us and we've done everything we can to rebuild the trust and credibility of the community," he said.
"We need the fans to get out there and be the 'sixth man' they are for us to get this win. It's a rocking stadium, it's loud and there is always great energy.
"Now I want to see the venue sold out."
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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.
