Background[]
- Basketball team in Christchurch New Zealand (also known as NZL)
- Pulled out of the 2011 season after an earthquake hit the area on Feb 22, 2011.
Media[]
The February 22 earthquake has ended the Christchurch Cougars basketball team's season before it started.
The Cougars withdrew from the 2011 national league of New Zealand (also known as NZL) 
, due to start in five weeks, because the quake has hit sponsors and the team.
Amy Gardiner, chief executive officer of the team and co-owner with her husband Andrew Gardiner, said there was no option but to reluctantly withdraw the team.
"We had everything organised and our sponsors on board but everything changed in a minute.
"Three of our major sponsors have been displaced and some of our other sponsors have been affected," said Gardiner.
"We've lost our house and are living in Nelson, New Zealand at the moment," Gardiner said.
She said sponsors would not get value for their money if the team carried on.
"We couldn't operate as a business either. We couldn't recover in four weeks from what has happened. It would be a scramble to put together a new budget and campaign."
Gardiner said the NBL had been understanding.
"They have been amazing. They have understood where we are at and were not forcing something that can't happen."
Preparations for the season, which is due to start on April 14, 2011, were well under way. The Cougars had announced that they had two Americans for their roster, Kevin Smith and Javari Williams. They were due to arrive four days after the earthquake but did not board their flights.
"Our team was raring and ready to go, however this is no different than every other sports team and business when everything changed that day two weeks ago," said Gardiner. The Cougars season was due to start with a double-header on April 15 and 16, 2011, with games against Southland and Otago respectively.
Their first home game was scheduled for April 23, 2011, against Southland.
The team was to play at a newly-opened stadium at Lincoln in 2011.
Craig Hickford, the Cougars coach, said the news was disappointing for playing and coaching staff, and the Canterbury basketball community.
"I am gutted for the local players, their families and our supporters who will not have the pleasure of having quality basketball played in the region."
Sam Rossiter-Stead, chairman of the NBL, said the organisation would be working with the Cougars to try to ensure there was a Canterbury team in the 2012 league.
"Many people have worked tirelessly over the last two-and-a-half years to ensure that Christchurch was represented in the Bartercard NBL, and to see the team withdraw is extremely sad."
[1] The Cougars will not be replaced in the league and a new draw will be circulated.