How a 'kick in the guts' by the Thunder's depature could impact the NWBU

"Even though the writing has been on the wall for several weeks, it's still a kick in the guts for the [region]."

That's the view of Penguin's Greg Miller, one of eight North West Basketball Union (NWBU) club presidents who unanimously supported the Thunder's rejected application for an NBL1 South licence.

Basketball Tasmania announced last week that a newly established entity - proposed by the Launceston Tornadoes - will commence in 2026.

"Everybody wants to see it work; that's the crux of it. It's nothing against the Tornadoes; they've got passionate people involved, and they'll do everything they can to make sure it's successful," Miller said.

"The problem we have as a collective is that the model put forward is not sustainable, and the biggest risk is that in two or three years' time, we don't have NBL1 at all.

"We need to look at what the pathway for our kids looks like moving forward. Travelling to Launceston every week is not sustainable, although that will be a choice for individuals, not for the clubs to make."

Basketball Victoria, who run the semi-professional competition, announced in April that the men's and women's programs must operate under the same licence.

The Northern Tasmania Basketball Club is set to play 11 home games, with a 50-50 split between Launceston and Ulverstone.

But Miller suggested that the demise of the Thunder could see the NWBU move away from a February tip-off.

"We have a meeting (planned for September 24) to discuss what our NWBU roster looks like next year and when it's going to be played," he said.

"The fact that we won't be running an NBL1 program on the Coast may change when we run our senior rosters. A lot of people would prefer it to be played later in the year."

With branding, player rosters and coaches to be determined, Miller questioned whether there was enough NBL1 talent in the state's North to fill the men's team.

"[The Tornadoes] are going to create a new men's program from scratch, and as I understand it, most of the current support staff and players don't want to be a part of the new entity," he said.

"Launceston will have to draw on its own players, and they don't have a lot of players up to NBL1 level, so they'll have to bring in players from elsewhere.

"I don't know if that means they're expecting NWBU clubs to lease players."