Basketball Queensland says the state government's decision to scrap an indoor sports centre will "definitely" impact the Sunshine Coast's push for a national league team. After a 100-day Olympics infrastructure review, the government confirmed a recommended 11-court facility at Kawana would effectively be replaced by the Horizon Centre at Maroochydore. However, the Maroochydore site will house fewer courts, with Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie describing it as "an arena, convention, exhibition, arts and cultural precinct". Basketball Queensland chief executive Joshua Pascoe said it would not deliver the same benefits. "The discussion whether the Sunshine Coast gets an NBL or WNBL team is swayed by levels of participation, currently hampered by the lack of infrastructure," Mr Pascoe said. "In the Sunshine Coast region alone, we've identified a shortfall of at least 17 courts." Is an NBL franchise realistic? The Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Gympie and Somerset regions have more than 400,000 residents, on par with reigning NBL champions Illawarra. However, Mr Pascoe said that alone did not make a strong enough case for a national league team. "While Illawarra has a similar population, their participation in basketball is 50 per cent more than the Sunshine Coast, and that's tied to having 50 per cent more facilities," he said. Last year the finals of the NBL1 (effectively the NBL second division) were held on the Sunshine Coast. In May, the Sunshine Coast will host Australia versus New Zealand matches for both women and men. NBL spokesman Dean Anglin said in 2024 the proposed Kawana stadium was key to the Sunshine Coast earning a national league franchise. "There's the Sunshine Coast Lightning in the netball competition that's really well supported," he said. "But 11 courts being delivered on the Sunshine Coast as part of that Olympic project, that's the greater influence on what will happen with basketball in the next decade." Basketball Queensland said participation numbers grew in the state between 2019 and 2024 from 29,000 to 74,000, but insufficient courts were leading to a "bounce back". Local disappointment The Kawana stadium complete with 11 courts was recommended by three state government reports, including the 2025 review under the LNP, and the 2024 Sports Venue Review under Labor. Sunshine Coast Basketball general manager Sean Page said his association already relied heavily on school venues to survive. "The [Kawana stadium] decision is extremely disappointing," he said. "Kawana would have provided an opportunity to centralise operations and make it easier and more cost-effective for members and families. Noosa Basketball board member Naomi Todd said her region had been "neglected", and many of the best players were forced to move away or stopped participating. Deputy premier cold on Kawana venue On Wednesday, Mr Bleijie said at a press conference at Maroochydore he was "never a fan of the [Kawana] indoor centre". Asked whether Maroochydore could be a potential home for an NBL or WNBL team, Mr Bleijie said: "I wouldn't want to say we would give it to one person. That will be to the detriment of others." He suggested the $250 million Games On! Initiative as an avenue for basketball to receive funding and improve existing facilities. "There's going to be plenty of opportunities for additional support for indoor courts. "We believe you could look to individual facilities … and expand them."