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Hunter Pirates
Hunter Pirates logo
LeaguesNBL
Founded2003
Dissolved2006
HistoryCanberra Cannons
1979–2003
Hunter Pirates
2003–2006
Singapore Slingers
2006–present
ArenaNewcastle Entertainment Centre
LocationNewcastle, New South Wales
Team colorsRed, black, gold, white
       
Championships0

The Hunter Pirates are a defunct Australian professional men's basketball team that competed in the National Basketball League (NBL). It was based in the city of Newcastle, New South Wales.

Team history

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The franchise began as the Canberra Cannons, one of the foundation members of the NBL. At the end of the 2002–03 season, new owners moved the team to Newcastle and renamed the franchise the Hunter Pirates. The Pirates played at the 4,658-seat Newcastle Entertainment Centre.

In its first season, 2003–04, the team came last, winning only two games. Initial coach Bruce Palmer was fired partway into the season and was replaced by assistant coach David Simmons.

In 2004–05, former Perth Wildcats, Australian Boomers and Australian Institute of Sport coach Dr. Adrian Hurley was appointed as the head coach and led the team to eighth place with a 15–17 record. In the playoffs, the Pirates were eliminated by the Brisbane Bullets in the opening round.

In 2005–06, the Pirates made the playoffs[1] where they were beaten by the Cairns Taipans. Following their third season, the Pirates withdrew from the NBL due to financial difficulties and being unable to find a major sponsor.[2][3][4]

In March 2006, the Singapore Slingers took over the Pirates' licence.[5]

Honour Roll

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NBL Championships: 0
NBL Finals Appearances: 2 (2004/05, 2005/06)
NBL Grand Final appearances: 0
NBL Most Valuable Players: Brian Wethers (2004/05)
All-NBL First Team: Brian Wethers (2004/05)
NBL Coach of the Year: Adrian Hurley (2004/05)
NBL Most Improved Player: Geordie Cullen (2003/04)

Source: www.nbl.com.au[6]

Season by season

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NBL champions League champions Runners-up Finals berth
Season Tier League Regular season Post-season Head coach Captain Club MVP
Finish Played Wins Losses Win %
Hunter Pirates
2003–04 1 NBL 12th 33 2 31 .061 Did not qualify Bruce Palmer
Dave Simmons 		Brendan Mann Geordie Cullen
2004–05 1 NBL 8th 32 15 17 .065 Lost elimination final (Brisbane) 99–113 Adrian Hurley Brendan Mann Brian Wethers
2005–06 1 NBL 8th 32 13 19 .406 Lost elimination final (Cairns) 80–88 Adrian Hurley Aaron Trahair Mike Helms
Regular season record 97 30 67 .309 0 regular season champions
Finals record 0 0 2 .000 0 NBL championships

As of the end of the 2005–06 season

Source: Hunter Pirates Year by Year [7]

References

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  1. ^ "Pirates snap NBL losing streak". Yahoo!7 Sport. Australian Associated Press. 1 February 2006. Archived from the original on 7 February 2006.
  2. ^ "Hunter Pirates face NBL axe". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 January 2006. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  3. ^ "NBL Pirates set for extinction". ABC News. 15 February 2006. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  4. ^ "Sad end for Pirates on NBL finals eve". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 February 2006. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  5. ^ "NBL heads to Singapore". NBL Philips Championship. Sportal. 15 March 2006. Archived from the original on 30 August 2006.
  6. ^ "Pirates Club History". NBL Philips Championship. Sportal. Archived from the original on 5 September 2007.
  7. ^ "Hunter Pirates Year by Year". NBL. Sportal. Archived from the original on 6 September 2006.
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