REDLANDS’ reputation as a hoops nursery has taken a hit on two fronts over the past few weeks after being denied re-entry into the top tier state league, and suffering the resignation of a loyal general manager.
Last Friday, Peter Pollock officially announced his resignation from the top job after a five-year run, explaining to Redland City News the reasoning behind the decision.
“I am conflicted with Basketball Queensland’s vision for Red City Roar as compared to why Red City Roar was created and why I got involved,” Mr Pollock said. “I have resigned because I struggle with the integrity displayed by our governing body in dealing with NBL1 submissions.
“We should be growing the game and building a pathway for junior players, and BQ seem intent on doing the opposite.
“I am conflicted also with the process by which they excluded Red City Roar from NBL1 for the 2024 season, around concerns of our viability, despite a Red City Roar 2023 six figure surplus, and then again after being rejected for the 2025 season.
“We have seen our membership grow from 400 to 2000, with waiting lists for both seniors and juniors.”
Mr Pollock said turnover had grown from zero dollars at start up, to over a million dollars, a six-figure surplus in 2023 (the year it was deemed unviable), along with eight new affiliated clubs.
“Most recently we also saw a commitment from local government to find a solution for an indoor sport and recreation centre for Redlands,” he said.
“My relationship has been strained with BQ since they removed us from the league.
“It was only after the Ipswich Basketball AGM when I understood how unfairly we had been treated.”
Red City Roar were kicked out of the NBL1 league for this season and had their application to re-enter for next season declined by Basketball Queensland earlier this month.
Mr Pollock said at the time that it would be a great mistake to not offer the pathway and would lead to a massive loss of playing talent.
“We have a few kids that will be targeted by other clubs in both girls and boys,” he said. “We need to have that NBL1 pathway otherwise Redlands will be the eternal recruiting ground for Logan, South West, and Southern Districts.”
He said it had been the case for the 30 years prior to Red City Roar’s creation in 2019.
“It’s an easy conversation for parents to buy into when told by neighbouring associations that they need to be playing in Division 1 to make state teams,” he said.
