NBL completes review of Kings and Taipans fixture

The NBL has completed its review of game day operations and processes following the Sydney Kings and Cairns Taipans game on December 7 at the Cairns Convention Centre. 
 
Play was delayed for 51 minutes at halftime after a loss of power led to the failure of multiple operating systems within the venue, including the shot clock and air conditioning units. 
 
“This was an unfortunate incident that delayed the game for an unacceptable amount of time and as such we immediately commenced a review,” NBL executive general manager – competitions and operations, Sean Gottliebsen, said. 
  
“The fault has been isolated to a piece of equipment that has now been replaced by the venue. We are satisfied the Cairns Convention Centre has taken the appropriate actions to ensure this should not occur again and we thank them for their decisive actions.” 

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When the match recommenced, the air conditioning units were not yet operational, which led to a review of the League’s heat policies. 
 
“One of the more significant recommendations is to investigate supplementing the already existing rules to do with ambient temperature, and add a humidity level that must be maintained and set an appropriate standard for games,” Gottliebsen added.   
   
Findings include:  

• The NBL worked closely with the venue and the Taipans to restore power and the shot clocks but was unable to do so.
• A failure of equipment in the venue resulted in temporary loss of power to multiple areas including the scoretable. In an effort to restore power, the system has reset either by default or by human intervention with the shot clock units not displayed - this could not be resolved.
• Only after all attempts were exhausted and wide consultation with head coaches, broadcaster, referees and NBL game day staff, a decision was made to recommence the game without the shot clocks, while the venue continued in its attempt to restore the air conditioning and shot clock units.
• Due to feedback regarding heat, the NBL continued to monitor the ambient temperature of the venue which never exceeded 23 degrees which is below the threshold for the NBL of 36 degrees.
• At 9.09pm (local time) the air conditioners were operational and the game concluded without further incident.
• The review concluded the incident management and resulting decision to resume the match was allowable according to NBL rules.

Recommendations include:  

• The NBL competitions team to conduct a detailed audit of all venues’ equipment with a particular focus on what redundancies exist in the event of power failures or equipment malfunction.
• The NBL venue minimum standards to be reviewed to ensure appropriate redundancies are in place to deal with power outages to only a subsection of a building.
• Contact to be made with LED Signs (equipment manufacturer) to ensure the most up-to-date apparatus manuals are understood and documented to ensure device operators and venue are able to troubleshoot issues.
• The NBL competition team will consider under what circumstances a game is to be automatically abandoned versus circumstances where discretion can be applied, and the game continued.
• The NBL investigate and incorporate a humidity rating to supplement the ambient temperature readings.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank both clubs and the venue for their involvement and feedback in relation to preparing this report,” Gottliebsen said.