World Economic Meltdown !

The world economic meltdown will certainly change the world for many people. Some will find themselves unemployed. Some previously well off people will find themselves applying for the pension - and most people will tighten their belts and reduce spending for fear of what the future holds in store.

Sport seems to be at the forefront of change. We have learned that this region's basketball team will close it's doors and no longer compete in the national league after thirty one years representing Wollongong. The demise of " The Hawks " will leave many fans without a focus of purpose.

Soccer followers have seen a recent national championship side - The Wollongong Wolves " fade from the scene and in both cases of basketball and soccer the reason was a lack of money to support teams at a national level.

There is a very real danger that we may lose St George Illawarra as a representative of this area - and once again the reason will be money.

We have a below standard arena and some people doubt that St George ever had their heart in the merger with the Steelers. The refurbishing of Belmore oval may see St George remain as a Sydney side, and if that happens rugby league will be a dying sport in the Illawarra.

There will still be junior basketball, soccer and league, but it will not be the same without the incentive for players to improve and find glory in a national competition - and there is every chance that Australian rules football will fill the gap. The ARL competition is expanding, and an Illawarra team could be a possibility in the near future.

The organizers of national sports are remiss in letting this happen. Any sport that concentrates teams in Melbourne and Sydney and ignores the remainder of Australia is on a downhill curve. Without regional competition striving for a place in the national teams the pool of talent runs dry - and with it that sport.

It costs big money to field a national team but the rewards for the sport concerned are critical. There are obvious benefits for lowering overall expenditure to finance a broader representation and improve the reach of the game.

That is an argument that seems to be falling on deaf ears !