Due to unforeseen circumstances, which are mostly centred on delayed visa applications, the Indian Panthers won’t start arriving in New Zealand until later this week and therefore will not be able to participate at the Westside Blitz. The League will look to alter the schedule to ensure all 11 competing teams are participating equally.
“Many of the Panthers players and coaches are currently competing in the inaugural InBL Pro season in Delhi and as a result there has been a delay on some visas,” explained Sal’s NBL General Manager Maree Taylor.
“While we are disappointed about the late change, the Panthers are equally disappointed but remain fully focused and on track for their opening game of the season against the Hawks on March 12 at Rodney Green Arenas.
“We are expecting player and coach announcements to commence in the coming days.
“The inclusion of the Panthers into the Sal’s NBL is a groundbreaking initiative, we are all in totally new but exciting territory, and we are doing all we can to help ensure a smooth entry.
“The delay on visas isn’t ideal, but we look forward to March 12 with much anticipation when we welcome India to New Zealand basketball.”
The schedule for the Westside Blitz, which will run from Tuesday, March 4 to Saturday, March 8, can be found by heading to www.nznbl.basketball/westsideblitz. The Blitz, an expanded preseason event, will feature 16 games across Greymouth (10 games) and Westport (6 games).
While the Panthers' delayed arrival is unfortunate, the event will still bring plenty of excitement to the West Coast, with fierce competition expected as teams prepare for the upcoming Sal’s NBL season. The reigning Westside Blitz champions, the Taranaki Airs, will return to defend their title after their victory in 2024, and their quest for back-to-back championships will be one of the key storylines of the tournament.
With over 2,000 tamariki expected to take part in school visits and skills clinics, the Blitz will provide a fantastic platform for players and fans alike to connect, while also offering a vital preseason preparation opportunity for referees, statisticians, and team management, as part of the Sal’s NBL's wider preseason initiatives.
The event also plays a vital role in the economic development of the West Coast, injecting an estimated $500,000 into the local economy last year. With the expanded 2025 event, the economic impact is expected to be even greater.
To stay updated on the latest news and ticketing information, visit www.westsideblitz.co.nz and follow both @nznbl and @westsideblitz on all major social media channels.
