Illawarra Hawks Rise Together for NBL24

The Illawarra Hawks have launched a new chapter in their storied history and revealed their inaugural brand advertising campaign under the rallying call of "We Rise Together".

The playing squad, coaches and management joined community stars of the Hawks' new television commercial to celebrate the start of the NBL24 Season.

Co-captain Tyler Harvey was enthusiastic heading into the opening round blockbuster against fierce rivals, the Sydney Kings, on September 30.

"It feels like the Hawks are ready to take a strong step forward this year. We're having a really solid pre-season, and plenty of exciting things are happening across the club,” Harvey said.

"It's great to see the television commercial; being part of it was a lot of fun. The idea that 'You come at one of us, you come at all of us' really works for us. It talks about the resilience and resourcefulness we bring to our game."

The players weren't the only ones enjoying starring roles in the new campaign. The commercial features a range of Wollongong and Illawarra locals, from surfers to students, café owners to steelworkers, and members of our local basketball associations.

Wollongong couple Garang and Liz de Bol and their basketball-loving kids, Leki, Luca, Theodore, Xavier, and Valentino, were delighted to join the shoot.

"It's a privilege to be part of a campaign that celebrates our community and basketball. Those two things are huge for our family; the Hawks represent that for us. We've made many friends and connections in the Illawarra community through basketball. The Hawks are just so important to Wollongong," Liz said.

The creative campaign is a real landmark in the Hawks' renewed strategy and points to a hopeful future.

"The campaign is a celebration of our place, and I don't think we do that often enough", said Hawks CEO Stu Taggart. "It's a reminder of the privilege that the Hawks feel in representing this community on a national stage."

"The campaign, together with the community programs that we will formally announce in the coming months, will help enable the Hawks to realise our Vision – to be a club that truly matters to all the people of the Illawarra and our Mission – which is to make the Illawarra a better place through basketball."

"Unveiling the campaign and beginning to put it to work in earnest for the NBL24 season and the people of the Illawarra marks an exciting new stage in our Club's history."

The Hawks open the NBL24 season on Saturday, September 30^th, against the Sydney Kings at WIN Entertainment Centre.