Editing Hunter Pirates (section)

==Team history==
The franchise began as the [[Canberra Cannons]], one of the foundation members of the NBL. At the end of the [[2002–03 NBL season|2002–03 season]], new owners moved the team to Newcastle and renamed the franchise the '''Hunter Pirates'''. The Pirates played at the 4,658-seat [[Newcastle Entertainment Centre]].

In its first season, [[2003–04 NBL season|2003–04]], the team came last, winning only two games. Initial coach [[Bruce Palmer (basketball)|Bruce Palmer]] was fired partway into the season and was replaced by assistant coach [[Dave Simmons (basketball, born 1963)|David Simmons]].

In [[2004–05 NBL season|2004–05]], former [[Perth Wildcats]], [[Australia men's national basketball team|Australian Boomers]] and [[Australian Institute of Sport]] coach [[Doctor (title)|Dr.]] [[Adrian Hurley]] was appointed as the head coach and led the team to eighth place with a 15–17 record. In the playoffs, the Pirates were eliminated by the [[Brisbane Bullets]] in the opening round.

In [[2005–06 NBL season|2005–06]], the Pirates made the playoffs<ref>{{cite web |title=Pirates snap NBL losing streak |website=Yahoo!7 Sport|agency=Australian Associated Press|date=2006-02-01|url=http://au.sports.yahoo.com/051028/2/c4hl.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060207001756/http://au.sports.yahoo.com/051028/2/c4hl.html|archive-date=2006-02-07}}</ref> where they were beaten by the [[Cairns Taipans]]. Following their third season, the Pirates withdrew from the NBL due to financial difficulties and being unable to find a major sponsor.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hunter Pirates face NBL axe |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/hunter-pirates-face-nbl-axe-20060111-gdmras.html |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=10 January 2006 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=NBL Pirates set for extinction |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-02-15/nbl-pirates-set-for-extinction/799932 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=ABC News |date=15 February 2006 |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sad end for Pirates on NBL finals eve |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/sad-end-for-pirates-on-nbl-finals-eve-20060224-gdn14q.html |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=23 February 2006 |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2006, the [[Singapore Slingers]] took over the Pirates' licence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&aid=3165|title=NBL heads to Singapore|date=2006-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830065332/http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&aid=3165|archive-date=2006-08-30|website=NBL Philips Championship|publisher=Sportal}}</ref>