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Race on for best seats in town as Goldfields Giants prepare for home game

Neale HarveyKalgoorlie Miner
Emily Derksen with the reserved seat covers at Niels Hansen Stadium.
Camera IconEmily Derksen with the reserved seat covers at Niels Hansen Stadium. Credit: Goldfields Giants/Supplied

The hottest seat in town — that’s what former Queensland State basketballer Emily Derksen wants to see at the Niels Hansen Stadium this season.

The stadium will host its first home game on Saturday night showcasing the Goldfields Giants and Ms Derksen was busy this week placing reserved members covers on the grandstand seats, which because of the two-court stadium extension will be much fewer in number than previous years.

With the Goldfields Giants displaying renewed enthusiasm and team spirit in their opening games last weekend, the club anticipates seats will be at a premium if they keep on winning.

Last year the Giants did not sell memberships but this year already more than 80 have been sold and more people are expected to take up a special offer in coming weeks.

With the grandstand only a third of the original size because of the stadium construction, Giants chairman Rob Tagliaferri says families of junior basketballers have realised they will need to get in early to ensure they have a seat.

“We have a new-look sponsorship layout, with the boxes replaced by two decks that will see the sponsors mingling with each other,” he said.

“Now that we are selling season memberships to local basketballers and the families of juniors, we foresee that there will be few seats available to the public on game night but we are going out of our way to ensure all our fans get to see the games.

“When you take into account life members and players partners, there are few seats to sell.”

The Giants have a tough start to the season, playing three of last year’s strongest clubs — Lakeside and Rockingham last weekend in Perth, and Joondalup at home this Saturday night.

The development league game starts at 4pm, the NBL1 women’s game at 6 and the NBL1 men will take to the court at 8pm.

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