Latest news with #NBL
West Australian
13 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
NBL releases fixture including a December clash between Perth Wildcats and Bryce Cotton at RAC Arena
Bryce Cotton will make his highly anticipated return to RAC Arena on December 7 to face off against Perth Wildcats as an Adelaide player in what looms as one of the biggest games of the NBL season. The NBL has released their fixture, and all eyes were on when they'd send Cotton back to WA. Cotton has signed a three-year deal to play for the 36ers after nine-and-a-half seasons with the Wildcats where he won three championships and five NBL MVP awards. He will have home court advantage when he first plays against Perth, given the initial clash will be in Adelaide on November 9. But the NBL has added plenty of drama to the season by giving Cotton another game at RAC Arena in the last round of the regular season. Ladder positions have gone down to the wire in recent seasons, and Cotton could be playing to either give the 36ers a massive advantage in the finals or make life tough for Perth. The fourth clash between the 36ers and Wildcats will be played in Adelaide on December 28. Perth will have four games against the 36ers, Cairns, Illawarra, South East Melbourne and Tasmania. They will have three matches against Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand as part of the league's expanded 33-game schedule. All 17 of Perth's home games have been fixtured at RAC Arena. Six of those matches will be on Friday nights, there are four on Thursday, two on Wednesday, three on Saturday and two on Sunday. The Wildcats' final game at RAC Arena before losing access to the venue for tennis will be on December 18 and then they'll travel for five consecutive matches before returning home for HoopsFest on January 16. The NBL season will again start in mid-December with the Wildcats opening their season against Tasmania on September 20. Perth will also play on AFL grand final day, with their away match against New Zealand scheduled to tip off shortly after the premiership is won. Rnd 1 Saturday September 20 v Tasmania JackJumpers at RAC Arena, 6pm WST Rnd 2 Saturday September 27 v New Zealand Breakers at Spark Arena, 3.30pm WST Rnd 3 Thursday October 2 v Illawarra Hawks at RAC Arena, 7.30pm WST Rnd 4 Friday October 10 v Cairns Taipans at Cairns Convention Centre, 4.30pm WST Rnd 5 Wednesday October 15 v Brisbane Bullets at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 5 Sunday October 19 v Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena,1.30pm WST Rnd 6 Wednesday October 22 v Cairns Taipans at Cairns Convention Centre, 4.30pm WST Rnd 6 Saturday October 25 v Illawarra Hawks at RAC Arena, 5pm WST Rnd 7 Wednesday October 29 v Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena, 4.30pm WST Rnd 7 Sunday November 2 v Sth East Melbourne Phoenix v John Cain Arena, 11.30am WST Rnd 8 Sunday November 9 v Adelaide 36ers at Adelaide Entertainment Centre,11.30am WST Rnd 9 Saturday November 15 v New Zealand Breakers at RAC Arena, 5pm WST Rnd 10 Friday November 21 v Tasmania JackJumpers at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 10 Sunday November 23 v Melbourne United at John Cain Arena, 1.30pm WST Rnd 11 Thursday December 4 v Melbourne United at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 11 Sunday December 7 v Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena, 1.30pm WST Rnd 12 Friday December 12 v Sydney Kings at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 12 Sunday December 14 v Brisbane Bullets at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, 1.30pm WST Rnd 13 Thursday December 18 v Sth East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 13 Sunday December 21 v Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena, 11.30am WST Rnd 14 Sunday December 28 v Adelaide 36ers at Adelaide Entertainment Centre,11.30am WST Rnd 15 Thursday January 1 v Brisbane Bullets at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, 4.30pm WST Rnd 15 Sunday January 4 v New Zealand Breakers at Spark Arena,11.30am WST Rnd 16 Saturday January 10 v Sth East Melbourne Phoenix at State Basketball Centre, 5pm WST Rnd 17 Friday January 16 v Illawarra Hawks at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 18 Thursday January 22 v Cairns Taipans at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 18 Sunday January 25 v Melbourne United at RAC Arena, 1.30pm WST Rnd 19 Wednesday January 28 v Sth East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 19 Saturday January 31 v Illawarra Hawks at WIN Entertainment Centre, 5pm WST Rnd 20 Friday February 6 v Cairns Taipans at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 21 Friday February 13 v Brisbane Bullets at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 21 Sunday February 15 v Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena,1.30pm WST Rnd 22 Friday February 20 v Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST
Perth Now
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Bryce Cotton's first game against Wildcats in Perth revealed
Bryce Cotton will make his highly anticipated return to RAC Arena on December 7 to face off against Perth Wildcats as an Adelaide player in what looms as one of the biggest games of the NBL season. The NBL has released their fixture, and all eyes were on when they'd send Cotton back to WA. Cotton has signed a three-year deal to play for the 36ers after nine-and-a-half seasons with the Wildcats where he won three championships and five NBL MVP awards. He will have home court advantage when he first plays against Perth, given the initial clash will be in Adelaide on November 9. But the NBL has added plenty of drama to the season by giving Cotton another game at RAC Arena in the last round of the regular season. Ladder positions have gone down to the wire in recent seasons, and Cotton could be playing to either give the 36ers a massive advantage in the finals or make life tough for Perth. Bryce Cotton. Credit: James Worsfold / Getty Images The fourth clash between the 36ers and Wildcats will be played in Adelaide on December 28. Perth will have four games against the 36ers, Cairns, Illawarra, South East Melbourne and Tasmania. They will have three matches against Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand as part of the league's expanded 33-game schedule. All 17 of Perth's home games have been fixtured at RAC Arena. Six of those matches will be on Friday nights, there are four on Thursday, two on Wednesday, three on Saturday and two on Sunday. The Wildcats' final game at RAC Arena before losing access to the venue for tennis will be on December 18 and then they'll travel for five consecutive matches before returning home for HoopsFest on January 16. Jesse Wagstaff. Credit: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images The NBL season will again start in mid-December with the Wildcats opening their season against Tasmania on September 20. Perth will also play on AFL grand final day, with their away match against New Zealand scheduled to tip off shortly after the premiership is won. Rnd 1 Saturday September 20 v Tasmania JackJumpers at RAC Arena, 6pm WST Rnd 2 Saturday September 27 v New Zealand Breakers at Spark Arena, 3.30pm WST Rnd 3 Thursday October 2 v Illawarra Hawks at RAC Arena, 7.30pm WST Rnd 4 Friday October 10 v Cairns Taipans at Cairns Convention Centre, 4.30pm WST Rnd 5 Wednesday October 15 v Brisbane Bullets at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 5 Sunday October 19 v Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena,1.30pm WST Rnd 6 Wednesday October 22 v Cairns Taipans at Cairns Convention Centre, 4.30pm WST Rnd 6 Saturday October 25 v Illawarra Hawks at RAC Arena, 5pm WST Rnd 7 Wednesday October 29 v Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena, 4.30pm WST Rnd 7 Sunday November 2 v Sth East Melbourne Phoenix v John Cain Arena, 11.30am WST Rnd 8 Sunday November 9 v Adelaide 36ers at Adelaide Entertainment Centre,11.30am WST Rnd 9 Saturday November 15 v New Zealand Breakers at RAC Arena, 5pm WST Rnd 10 Friday November 21 v Tasmania JackJumpers at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 10 Sunday November 23 v Melbourne United at John Cain Arena, 1.30pm WST Rnd 11 Thursday December 4 v Melbourne United at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 11 Sunday December 7 v Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena, 1.30pm WST Rnd 12 Friday December 12 v Sydney Kings at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 12 Sunday December 14 v Brisbane Bullets at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, 1.30pm WST Rnd 13 Thursday December 18 v Sth East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 13 Sunday December 21 v Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena, 11.30am WST Rnd 14 Sunday December 28 v Adelaide 36ers at Adelaide Entertainment Centre,11.30am WST Rnd 15 Thursday January 1 v Brisbane Bullets at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, 4.30pm WST Rnd 15 Sunday January 4 v New Zealand Breakers at Spark Arena,11.30am WST Rnd 16 Saturday January 10 v Sth East Melbourne Phoenix at State Basketball Centre, 5pm WST Rnd 17 Friday January 16 v Illawarra Hawks at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 18 Thursday January 22 v Cairns Taipans at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 18 Sunday January 25 v Melbourne United at RAC Arena, 1.30pm WST Rnd 19 Wednesday January 28 v Sth East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 19 Saturday January 31 v Illawarra Hawks at WIN Entertainment Centre, 5pm WST Rnd 20 Friday February 6 v Cairns Taipans at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 21 Friday February 13 v Brisbane Bullets at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST Rnd 21 Sunday February 15 v Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena,1.30pm WST Rnd 22 Friday February 20 v Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena, 6.30pm WST
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Struggling Nuggets face brutal test against Rams
Cue the Mission Impossible theme. The Otago Nuggets host the Canterbury Rams at the Edgar Centre tonight. The Rams have set the benchmark in the NBL again this season. They are chasing a third consecutive title, while the Nuggets are just hoping to snap a lengthy losing streak. They are teams at either end of the competition standings. Keep your $5 in your pocket if you are planning on backing a roughie. That said, the Nuggets pressed the Rams into overtime in Christchurch in April. And despite their lowly position, they have been competitive in most matches. Well, up to a certain point. They tend to fade at the back end of games. No-one is more aware of their shortcomings than coach Mike Kelly. He could do with a little more X-factor on the roster and a third import. But there is no cavalry coming. He has to squeeze every last drop of talent from the personnel he does have. That will be the challenge tonight. Patrick Freeman and Michael Ruske return to bolster the bench, and players like Caleb Smiler, Mac Stodart and Christian Martin have been getting more opportunities at the elite level. "While we haven't had results in the NBL with wins, and that is frustrating, I have to remind myself that we are trying to get better every day and these young guys are doing exactly that," Kelly said. "Christian Martin, Mac Stodart and all of these guys who have not played a lot of NBL minutes have been a real key part for us to be competitive in every game we've played. "I think the continued improvement and development of these young guys has kind of been the [defining character] of the season." That said, a win would be good. The Nuggets have dropped 12 in a row. "I don't see it as us being down on confidence, but rather down on players. "With the guys that we've got here, we have to be able to execute almost perfectly to be in every game. "We have to play really tight basketball for each other and I think we've done that to a certain extent to keep ourselves in with a shot. "We've managed to do that in every one of these games, so that has been gratifying. "We've continued to work, continued to stay competitive. "I really do believe in the process and not just the results. "As much as I want the results, I think we are doing it the right way. "And we want to continue that against the Rams, who we had a phenomenal game against at their house. "They are a really talented team that is well-coached and plays super hard." NBL Dunedin, 7pm Otago Nuggets: Jonathan Janssen, Matthew Bardsley, Don Carey jun, Josh Aitcheson, Jaylen Sebree, Darcy Knox, Caleb Smiler, Patrick Freeman, Michael Ruske, Mac Stodart, Christian Martin, Liam Boomer. Canterbury Rams (possible): Taylor Britt, Walter Brown, Sean McDonald, Kyle Bowen, Tohi Smith-Milner, Max Darling, CJ Penha jun, Tamatoa Isaac, Tawhiri Cate, Mana Martin, Ihaka Cate, Tony Worthington.
Fashion Network
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Nice Brand Lab aims to double revenue of ellesse footwear in 2026
ellesse was spawned by the pioneering vision of Leonardo Servadio, who in 1959 boldly decided to mix sportswear with Italian tailoring elegance. A heritage ellesse is celebrating with next summer's collection, designed as 'a tribute to Italian style and effortless charm, on and off the court.' The Spring/Summer 2026 footwear line created by NBL features several new models characterised by a strong identity and unique design, marking a new creative direction for ellesse. The line is innovative both in terms of style, more deliberately sophisticated, and product construction, and is designed to express a more mature, distinctive vision of a sporting lifestyle. One of the new collection's stand-out items is the LS914, a signature off-court sneakers model named after the height of tennis court nets (91.4 cm): 'With its bold lines, decisive volume and strong visual identity, the LS914 is a tribute to contemporary design, perfectly balanced between sport and lifestyle,' said ellesse. In addition to focusing on ellesse, NBL is tapping Carlisle's expertise to develop a new business line: 'We're putting our know-how at the disposal of brands interested in launching footwear or strengthening their position in the segment. We can offer them a comprehensive suite of services and advice, from style to production, distribution, marketing and communication,' concluded Carlisle, adding that 'for the Spring/Summer 2026, we are negotiating with various interested parties, chiefly apparel brands that want to expand into footwear.'
Fashion Network
2 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Nice Brand Lab aims to double revenue of ellesse footwear in 2026
Nice Brand Lab, a division of Italian producer Nice Footwear, set up in July 2024 to manufacture and distribute sneakers and leisure footwear for proprietary and licensed brands, has ambitious plans for ellesse, a long-standing Italian sportswear brand owned by British company Pentland. Nice Brand Lab (NBL) already held the license to develop, manufacture, and distribute ellesse shoes in Italy and France, and has recently inked a global partnership deal with Pentland for the brand's footwear. In February, NBL appointed Nick Carlisle as strategic business developer for ellesse. 'We have comprehensively overhauled the European sales organisation. In Italy, we have switched from 13 agents to 6 macro areas, for better coverage on the ground. Our next targets are the USA, where we plan to enter with Spring/Summer 2026 via a premium e-tailer, to then open our first monobrand stores with Fall/Winter 2026-27; and the APAC region, especially Japan, Korea, China, and Indonesia,' said Carlisle, speaking to 'In addition, we're focusing on women's shoes, which currently account for 40% of sales, a share we're keen to grow to 60% by winter 2026-27. We'll then turn to the children's range, so far quite limited, which we'll start to extend from the Spring/Summer 2027.' A well-defined roadmap, through which NBL is aiming to double the revenue of ellesse's footwear division, making the brand once again a member of sportswear's elite circle: 'We want to take ellesse back on court, we're negotiating with women tennis professionals and we'll work on developing performance footwear. By 2030, we want to become Italy's top sportswear brand, and rank among the world's top 10,' added Carlisle. NBL is keen to revitalise ellesse's long-standing connection with tennis, as demonstrated by the vast ellesse stand at the Pitti Uomo show, a giant replica of a tennis court including oversize rackets and balls. 'For Spring/Summer 2026 we've presented an entirely revamped collection based on a 'less is more' concept, reducing SKUs to focus on our heritage,' said Carlisle. ellesse was spawned by the pioneering vision of Leonardo Servadio, who in 1959 boldly decided to mix sportswear with Italian tailoring elegance. A heritage ellesse is celebrating with next summer's collection, designed as 'a tribute to Italian style and effortless charm, on and off the court.' The Spring/Summer 2026 footwear line created by NBL features several new models characterised by a strong identity and unique design, marking a new creative direction for ellesse. The line is innovative both in terms of style, more deliberately sophisticated, and product construction, and is designed to express a more mature, distinctive vision of a sporting lifestyle. One of the new collection's stand-out items is the LS914, a signature off-court sneakers model named after the height of tennis court nets (91.4 cm): 'With its bold lines, decisive volume and strong visual identity, the LS914 is a tribute to contemporary design, perfectly balanced between sport and lifestyle,' said ellesse. In addition to focusing on ellesse, NBL is tapping Carlisle's expertise to develop a new business line: 'We're putting our know-how at the disposal of brands interested in launching footwear or strengthening their position in the segment. We can offer them a comprehensive suite of services and advice, from style to production, distribution, marketing and communication,' concluded Carlisle, adding that 'for the Spring/Summer 2026, we are negotiating with various interested parties, chiefly apparel brands that want to expand into footwear.'
