Signed, sealed, delivered. We are the 'Illawarra Hawks'

The Hawks are delighted to announce the NBL has agreed to reinstate the name of the foundation club to the ‘Illawarra Hawks’.

The decision follows the club reaching its lofty membership target of 4379 this season and increased corporate support from the local community.

NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman said the owners first approached the NBL in November and expressed their desire to reinstate the Club’s name to the ‘Illawarra Hawks’.

“Today we are pleased to announce that we have agreed to their request after they met their membership target this season and attracted increased corporate support from the local community,” Kestelman said.

“We have the utmost faith in the new owners and the hard work they are doing to build a strong club. They have brought back the NBL’s most successful coach Brian Goorjian and enjoyed their best start to a season since 2013,” Kestelman said.

Illawarra Hawks President and Co-Owner, Dorry Kordahi, said this was vindication for the promises the new ownership group made to the local community when they first took over the club.

“This is a proud day for our club, our corporate partners and our fans. We have worked tirelessly to lift this proud club off the canvas and back into the NBL limelight. Today our hard work has again been vindicated and we can return the proud ‘Illawarra’ name to this team and the wonderful community that support it,” Kordahi said.

“We thank the NBL for all of their support since we took over the club last June. They have backed us to rebuild the club and we are very appreciative of everything they have done to make this happen,” Kordahi said.

Most of all we want to thank all of our fans and corporate partners who have supported us during this period. We couldn’t do this without them and we encourage all people across the Illawarra region to get behind the Club and ensure its long term viability,” Kordahi said.

The NBL indicated to The Hawks last year that it was prepared to consider the name request if there was sufficient support from the Illawarra community to make the club a viable proposition into the future in the local market.

“This is a fantastic first step. But as the owners themselves have said, the club needs to build a long-term and sustainable future and we encourage everyone across the Illawarra region to get out and support the Hawks,” Kestelman said.

“We will continue to monitor their progress and work closely with the owners and management of the Illawarra Hawks and look at all opportunities to grow the club and ensure its long-term viability in the NBL,” Kestelman said.

The news is another positive development for the Illawarra Hawks on the eve of their first home game of the season tomorrow night against Melbourne United at the WIN Entertainment Centre at 7.30pm AEDT.

“It’s been a great few months for the Illawarra Hawks but our work is not done. We’ve assembled a winning squad, got the best coach in the league and we continue to receive amazing corporate support. Now we need the fans to get behind us and help raise the club to even greater heights,” Kordahi said.