Illawarra Basketball Association is pleased to confirm that Matt Flinn will return as Head Coach of the Hawks NBL1 Men’s team for the 2026 season. Flinn’s leadership in 2025 helped re-establish the men’s program as a top-tier contender in NBL1 East. The team finished 15–5 and advanced to the Grand Final, playing an exciting, high-tempo brand of basketball that drew intense crowds and energised the local basketball community. A proud Illawarra junior and experienced coach across the NBL and national pathways, Flinn brings both high-level expertise and deep ties to the region. His ongoing dual role with the Illawarra Hawks NBL team continues to strengthen the link between IBA and the pro game, creating clearer pathways for athletes, coaches, and staff. “Pumped and privileged to be given the opportunity to run it back,” said Flinn. “I have a feeling that 2026 will be bigger and better, building on the success we created last year.” With key players re-signing and off-season recruitment in full swing, IBA is excited to back Flinn and the squad as they push for another strong campaign in 2026.

Trial Squad Lists will be published here by Monday, 5 pm, after each trial. If your name is not listed, unfortunately, you have not progressed in the process. ​ Please note that players may be cut from the trial squad at any time during the trial period. ​ 2026 Youth League Men IBA Trial Squad List   2026 Youth League Women IBA Trial Squad List

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Tom Cranney  as the Head Coach for our NBL1 Women's team for the 2026 season. Cranney brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, returning for his third season at the helm of our NBL1 Women’s program after a short absence, having previously led the Hawks in their inaugural 2022 NBL1 East campaign and the 2023 season, laying a strong foundation for the program's growth. Since his last stint with the NBL1 Women, Cranney has continued to build an impressive coaching résumé. In 2025, he served as an Assistant Coach for the Illawarra Hawks NBL1 Men’s side, helping that squad reach the NBL1 East conference grand final. He was also an Assistant Coach on the Illawarra Hawks’ championship-winning 2024/25 NBL season  as part of head coach Justin Tatum’s staff, gaining invaluable experience at the national league level. Cranney’s coaching journey spans all levels of the sport. A proud product of the NSW Country basketball pathway, he has mentored multiple junior representative teams in Illawarra and even coached at the school level with programs like Waverley College. His dual exposure to both youth development and elite competition ensures he brings elite insight, structure, and competitive expectations to our women’s program, aligning perfectly with the club’s focus on player development. On returning to the head coach role, Tom Cranney  said, “I am very excited to be back with the team. I have learned a lot over the past few years working with great coaches in successful programs in the NBL and NSW Country, and I look forward to bringing that experience to the team this season. We have a great young group to build around and I look forward to advancing the pathway and connection between the NBL1 program, Youth League and U18s in Illawarra.” We are excited to see Tom bring his experience, energy, and vision back to our NBL1 Women’s program, and we look forward to a successful 2026 season under his leadership.

Illawarra Basketball gives notice to all members that the 2025 Annual General Meeting will take place on Tuesday, the 25th of November at 6pm, held at Sage Hotel Wollongong. Please click the link below for all information including Notice and Agenda, Financial Report, as well as Director and Life Membership nomination forms.

We're hosting our first ever Golf Day; fundraising to support the growth and development of basketball in the Illawarra! Held on the 6th of February at Wollongong Golf Club, the day will consist of a 4 ball Ambrose competition, with prizes throughout the day! Your entry includes green fees, breakfast and lunch, drink voucher - all while supporting grassroots basketball. Secure your spot below! Please note; businesses can be sent invoices. For all questions and enquiries, please contact nathan.loveday@snakepit.com.au

The Illawarra Basketball Association (IBA) is seeking one (1) Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) to join our team. Please note that this is a volunteer position. About the Role MPIOs are an integral part of Australian sport, especially at the grassroots level. The MPIO role provides: A confidential, impartial, first point of contact for members with concerns or questions Information and guidance to individuals about their rights, responsibilities, and options when raising an issue or making a complaint Support during the process of seeking resolution, including referral to the appropriate person or body Important to note: MPIOs do not investigate complaints, handle disputes, or mediate between parties MPIOs remain separate from management and Integrity Officers responsible for complaint handling and decision-making Their role is strictly informative and supportive, helping guide members in the right direction MPIOs may be based in clubs, associations, state sporting organisations, or national sporting bodies. Training Requirements The appointed MPIO will be required to complete the Member Protection Information Officer online training, available through Play by the Rules. This training equips MPIOs with the knowledge and skills to carry out their role effectively. Eligibility We are seeking candidates who are: Approachable, impartial, and excellent communicators Committed to supporting a safe, fair, and inclusive sporting environment Able to maintain confidentiality and neutrality at all times Willing to undertake the required Play by the Rules training modules Hold, or willing to obtain, a valid WWCC How to Apply Those interested are invited to submit an Expression of Interest including: Your name and contact details A short statement about why you are interested in becoming an MPIO Any relevant skills, experience, or background you bring to the role. By becoming an MPIO, you will play a vital role in ensuring our sporting community remains safe, inclusive, and respectful for all members. Applications close: 5pm, Friday 31st October

Basketball Illawarra is proud to announce the Head Coaches for our 2026 Junior Representative Program. Following a detailed selection process led by the IBA Selection Panel, the following coaches have been appointed to lead our Boys and Girls teams across the 2026 season. These coaches bring a strong mix of experience, leadership, and commitment to the development of our athletes and the values outlined in The Illawarra Blueprint . This group will guide more than 250 athletes across 24 teams competing in the 2026 BNSW Junior Premier League (JPL) and Southern Junior League (SJL). Please note: Positions listed as TBC  will be confirmed following the completion of 2026 Representative Trials  in October and early November. Congratulations to all appointed coaches — and thank you to everyone who submitted an expression of interest and took part in the process. Full team lists, including the remaining Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Managers, will be announced following Prep4Rep and the 2026 trial period. Senior Coaches will be announced shortly. Please stay tuned.

The Illawarra Hawks U14 Girls have returned from the 2025 Basketball Australia U14 Club Championships in Perth after a huge week representing Basketball Illawarra. Led by Head Coach Maddison Delaney, the team competed against the top 24 clubs in Australia at Willetton Basketball Stadium, in Perth. The Hawks finished 17th overall (5th in the Shield Division) after closing out their campaign with a hard-fought win over Manly Warringah in their final classification game. This result reflected their growth and resilience throughout the week. Delaney praised her group’s development and character across the tournament: “Representing Basketball Illawarra at the U14 Club Nationals is a very special achievement for the Club each year we qualify – and in 2025, we were very excited and proud to continue our rich history on behalf of Basketball Illawarra. Thank you to the athletes, parents, siblings, sponsors, and volunteer coaching staff for all of your efforts in making this season the very best it could be. Our time in Perth concluded an extended 12-month season for a very young group of athletes who have consistently competed, worked hard, and represented Basketball Illawarra with the highest level of respect, professionalism, and culture. I am extremely proud of their development across the entire year. This group of young female athletes have grown tremendously as players and, more importantly, as people. As a coach, I couldn’t have asked for a better group of athletes and parents to work with. Thank you to everyone who made our season possible — our family support network, sponsors, donors, and the wider Illawarra community.” Thank You to Our Sponsors and Supporters The Illawarra Basketball Association would like to thank the local businesses and families who made this trip possible through their generous sponsorship and fundraising support: Major & Team Sponsors • Enhanced Building • RJE Electrical Solutions • Cooks Confectionery • DeSantis Decorating Individual Player Sponsors • Mac & Me Industries • RJE Electrical Solutions • Coal Cove Contracting • Days Industrial • EcoAid • A&Z Kitchens • Raise Performance • Next Level Basketball • Litani’s Restaurant A special thanks also goes to all families who organised and ran bake sales, BBQs, car washes, and the Free-Throw-A-Thon at the Snakepit. Your generosity and support allowed these young athletes to travel, compete, and experience basketball at the highest junior level in Australia. IBA would also like to thank Head Coach Maddison Delaney and her staff, all parents and families who supported the team, and the wider Illawarra community who helped make the trip possible. The pride shown by this group is a reflection of the hard work across our junior representative pathway. Congratulations again to all players and staff — you’ve done the Illawarra proud.

The Illawarra Basketball Association is proud to announce that the Illawarra Hawks NBL1 Men’s team has secured the coveted wildcard entry to the upcoming NBL1 National Championships, to be held in Canberra from August 29–31, 2025. The Championships will bring together the five conference winners from across Australia alongside the wildcard selection, providing a stage for the best teams in the country to compete for national glory. Illawarra Basketball Association Executive General Manager, Nathan Loveday said how the wildcard is an exciting achievement for the region. “We’re extremely excited about the opportunity for our program to compete at the NBL1 Nationals through the wildcard entry. Off the back of a successful NBL1 East season, this is a fantastic chance to showcase the strength of our club on the national stage and continue building on the momentum our players, coaches and community have created this year.” Illawarra’s wildcard selection is recognition of the Hawks’ outstanding season in the NBL1 East competition, where they finished with the Minor Premiership. The opportunity to compete on the national stage is a testament to the strength of the Illawarra basketball community and the Hawks’ ongoing commitment to high-performance basketball. Head of Basketball, Ben Bagoly, expressed what impact a local association playing on the national stage has on the junior players at IBA. “This is a huge opportunity for our program. Being invited to the NBL1 National Finals as East Minor Premiers is a reward for the work our group has put in all year. More importantly, it shows our juniors and pathway players what it means to compete on a national stage. We’re excited to embrace the challenge and proudly represent Illawarra in Canberra.” The Hawks will travel to Canberra next week to represent both the Illawarra region and the NBL1 East conference, with fixtures scheduled across the three-day tournament. Fans can follow the team’s journey through the NBL1 livestream and Illawarra Basketball Association’s social media channels.

We’re excited to announce we’ve just signed a partnership with Westfund Health Insurance to bring Feel Good Cover to employees and players of Illawarra Basketball Association. Please find more details about our partnership and the special offer on the flyer! In the meantime, here's a bit about Westfund. You're in good hands. You might not have heard of them but Westfund has been around for more than six decades with origins dating back to 1881.They have over 110,000 members, and are one of Australia’s fastest growing funds. But there are a number of other key benefits that come with being a Westfund member, which we think you might want to know about: Great choice of providers Across both metro and regional areas you'll have access to a national network of doctors, health providers and one of Australia's largest network of contracted private hospitals. Get more back. As a not-for-profit health fund, Wesfund focuses on keeping premiums low and paying benefits back to their members. Did you know that 89c in every dollar of premiums goes back to members? Expert help when you need it. With local Contact Centres and Care Centres across NSW and Queensland, Westfund's teams are on hand to answer your questions. Easy to switch. You don't need to re-serve any waiting periods when you transfer to an equivalent or lower level of cover. Plus, Westfund offers a 30-day guarantee meaning you can try them for 30 days, and if you decide to cancel, they'll refund any premiums paid - as long as no claims are made.

Courtesy of Rob Sheeley Opportunities for logo placement on all four of our courts are now available for sponsors! Logo decals will be placed on our courts in January 2026 following the court resurfacing. Click here to see current availabilities. Contact our EGM Nathan Loveday at nathan.loveday@snakepit.com.au to enquire.

Dates: Sunday 28 th  September, Friday 3 rd  October, Tuesday 7 th  October (Boys Only), Wednesday 8 th  October (Girls Only), Thursday 9 th  October Cost: $100 (4 sessions) What to Bring : ·         Drink Bottle ·         Basketball (if you have one) ·         Reversible Training Singlet (if you have one) ·         Sweat Towel ·         Sporting Closed Shoes Where: The Snakepit, 37 Foley St, Gwynneville NSW 2500 When: Prep4Rep U12s (Year of birth 2015-17) SESSION 1 SUNDAY, 28TH SEPTEMBER 9:00AM - 10:30AM SESSION 2 FRIDAY, 3RD OCTOBER 9:00AM - 10:30AM SESSION 3 - BOYS ONLY TUESDAY, 7TH OCTOBER 9:00AM - 10:30AM SESSION 3 - GIRLS ONLY WEDNESDAY, 8TH OCTOBER 9:00AM - 10:30AM SESSION 4 THURSDAY, 9TH OCTOBER 9:00AM - 10:30AM Prep4Rep U14s (Year of birth 2013/2014) SESSION 1 SUNDAY, 28TH SEPTEMBER 11:00AM - 12:30PM SESSION 2 FRIDAY, 3RD OCTOBER 11:00AM - 12:30PM SESSION 3 - BOYS ONLY TUESDAY, 7TH OCTOBER 11:00AM - 12:30PM SESSION 3 - GIRLS ONLY WEDNESDAY, 8TH OCTOBER 11:00AM - 12:30PM SESSION 4 THURSDAY, 9TH OCTOBER 11:00AM - 12:30PM Prep4Rep U16s and U18 Girls (Year of birth 2009-12) SESSION 1 SUNDAY, 28TH SEPTEMBER 1:30PM - 3:00PM SESSION 2 FRIDAY, 3RD OCTOBER 1:30PM - 3:00PM SESSION 3 WEDNESDAY, 8TH OCTOBER 1:30PM - 3:00PM SESSION 4 THURSDAY, 9TH OCTOBER 1:30PM - 3:00PM Prep4Rep U16s Boys (Year of birth 2011/12) SESSION 1 SUNDAY, 28TH SEPTEMBER 1:30PM - 3:00PM SESSION 2 FRIDAY, 3RD OCTOBER 1:30PM - 3:00PM SESSION 3 TUESDAY, 7TH OCTOBER 1:30PM - 3:00PM SESSION 4 THURSDAY, 9TH OCTOBER 1:30PM - 3:00PM Prep4Rep U18s Boys (Year of birth 2009/10) SESSION 1 SUNDAY, 28TH SEPTEMBER 3:30PM - 5:00PM SESSION 2 FRIDAY, 3RD OCTOBER 3:30PM - 5:00PM SESSION 3 TUESDAY, 7TH OCTOBER 3:30PM - 5:00PM SESSION 4 THURSDAY, 9TH OCTOBER 3:30PM - 5:00PM