 The Centre was built to house the now defunct Newcastle Falcons National Basketball League team and was also home to the Hunter Pirates before a lack of sponsorship forced them to relocate to Singapore after the 2005–06 season, where they were renamed the Singapore Slingers.The Slingers played one home game at the Centre during the 2006–07 season.Newcastle has an abundance of beaches and surf breaks for which the city is internationally well known.