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We're looking for an enthusiastic Development Officer to join our passionate team at the Illawarra Basketball Association! Read the position description below: Please email your CV and Cover Letter to egm@snakepit.com.au before 5pm on Wednesday, the 21st of January. Interviews will take place Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th of January.

Illawarra Basketball is excited to announce the signing of American guard Una Jovanovic  for the 2026 NBL1 Women’s season. Jovanovic joins the Hawks following a standout US college career, bringing with her elite scoring ability, poise under pressure, and a fast-paced style that’s sure to excite Snakepit fans. Head Coach Tom Cranney  said Jovanovic fits the team’s identity perfectly. “I am incredibly excited to have Una on board for this season. She is a phenomenal talent coming off a fantastic college career.She plays an electric and entertaining style of basketball that will be very fun to watch, and she perfectly fits the identity of the team we are trying to build. I look forward to working with her.” A 5’9” combo guard from California, Jovanovic spent the last four years playing NCAA Division I basketball, first at Cal State Fullerton, where she averaged 14.6 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds as a sophomore and earned All-Big West Second Team honours. She later transferred to TCU (Texas Christian University) and became a key contributor in the Big 12 Conference, posting one of the league’s best assist-to-turnover ratios and shooting over 40% from three. Jovanovic is known for her high basketball IQ, ability to score and facilitate, and composure under pressure. “I’m really looking forward to joining Illawarra for the 2026 season,” Jovanovic said.“I’ve heard great things about the club and the community, and I’m excited to see how far we can go this season. I can’t wait to meet everyone and get to work!” Jovanovic’s signature style, high tempo, crafty with the ball, and a reliable three-point shooter, adds a dynamic dimension to Illawarra’s backcourt. She brings both experience and hunger, having logged big minutes at the NCAA level and shown an ability to lead from the front. The 2026 NBL1 East season tips off in March. Stay tuned for more player announcements across the Men’s and Women’s programs in the weeks ahead. 🎟️ Be there for every big moment at the Snakepit. Explore membership options and lock in your seat now:👉 www.snakepit.com.au/memberships-ticketing

Congratulations to the below athletes for their inclusion on our 2026 Junior Representative roster. We look forward to the season ahead.

The Illawarra Basketball Association is thrilled to announce the signing of Mason Peatling to the Illawarra Hawks NBL1 Men’s team for the 2026 season. Peatling, a two-time NBL champion , won National titles with Melbourne United in 2021 and with Illawarra in 2025, and now brings his winning experience and leadership to the Hawks’ NBL1 program. Peatling is a 28-year-old forward with extensive experience in Australia’s top competitions. He spent three seasons with Melbourne United, where he was part of the 2021 NBL championship and joined the Illawarra Hawks NBL squad in 2023. He became a crucial member of Illawarra’s starting lineup during their fairytale NBL25 championship. At 203cm tall, Peatling is known for his strong defensive presence and versatility on offense – qualities that will bolster the Hawks’ frontcourt and provide much-needed stability in the paint. He has also proven himself at the NBL1 level, having helped the Knox Raiders claim the NBL1 South championship in 2023. Peatling’s basketball journey has been marked with success at every level. He played college basketball at Eastern Washington University, where he was named the Big Sky Conference Player of the Year  in 2020. In 2023, he earned his first call-up to the Australian Boomers national squad, representing Australia in FIBA World Cup qualifying games. Peatling also excelled in the NBL1 South competition, averaging a double-double with the Dandenong Rangers in 2024. This wealth of experience, from US college honours to national team involvement and domestic championships, underlines Peatling’s pedigree as a leader and winner. Head Coach Matt Flinn  welcomed the high-profile addition to his squad, lauding Peatling’s leadership and all-around impact: “Mason is a true leader in every sense. On and off the floor, he is a pro’s pro when it comes to applying his trade as a basketball player and our association is extremely lucky to secure his services for the 2026 season. He will add some much needed stability to our interior defence – [he] provides us with a versatile target offensively and will assist with the development of the young kids we have coming through. We are excited about what this season looks like and plan on going one step further this year.” Peatling himself is equally enthusiastic about joining the Illawarra Hawks NBL1 squad and contributing to the Hawks’ culture and success. The two-time NBL champion is eager to hit the court in front of Illawarra’s passionate supporters, saying: “I can’t wait to play in front of our Illawarra Hawks fans during the NBL1 season and be a part of something special with Coach Flinn, Toddy and the rest of the squad. Can’t wait to pack out the Snakepit and continue to represent Illawarra with pride.” With Peatling on board, we continue to assemble a formidable roster poised for a championship push. IBA’s partnership with the Illawarra Hawks NBL club has paved the way for top-tier talent to feature in the NBL1 program, and Peatling’s signing exemplifies that alignment. The 2026 NBL1 East season tips off in April, and Illawarra fans can look forward to an exciting campaign at The Snakepit as the Hawks set their sights on bringing home the title

Basketball Illawarra is pleased to open registrations for the 2026 NBL1 Men’s and Women’s team trials. These trials are a key step in building our senior representative teams for the upcoming season. We’re looking for high-level athletes who want to represent the region, contribute to a professional team environment, and compete at the highest level in NBL1 East. Trial Details Location:  The Snakepit Age Group:  Opens (Senior Level) NBL1 Men Trial 1:  Saturday, 22 November | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Trial 2:  Saturday, 29 November | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm NBL1 Women Trial 1:  Saturday, 22 November | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Trial 2:  Saturday, 29 November | 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm What to Bring Drink bottle Sweat towel Basketball (if you have one) Reversible training singlet (if you have one) Key Info Athletes may be cut from the trials squad at any stage. Players unable to attend must email Ben Bagoly  at ben.bagoly@snakepit.com.au  to discuss. Exemption requests must be submitted in writing before trials commence. Players born after 2008 must apply for exemption to attend the trials. Ready to trial?   Click here to register  and secure your spot.

Basketball Illawarra is excited to announce that registrations for our 2026 Junior Representative Trials are now open . Important to Note Before the first Non-Rep Trial and Trial 1, there will be a mandatory information session  held at the beginning of the trial. All athletes must have at least one parent/caregiver attend. Players may be cut from the trial squad at any time during the process. Sign-ins and courts will open 30 minutes before the start of each trial. Please aim to get to each trial 10 minutes before the start as a minimum. Squad lists will be posted on the Team Squad List page  (IBA Rep website) by Tuesday 5pm  following each trial. As part of the selection policy, all triallists (and parents if minors) must acknowledge they are prepared to operate within the policies and guidelines set out in the 2026 IBA Representative Handbook below. Registrations Trial registrations for Boys  close: 11/10/2025. Trial registrations for Girls  close: 17/10/2025. 👉 Register Here for Rep 2026 Trials New Trialist Information (Boys Only) Any male athlete who was not part of the Basketball Illawarra Junior Rep Program in 2025 must attend the New to IBA Trial  on Sunday 12th October 2025 . Returning Rep Players Athletes who were part of the Basketball Illawarra Junior Rep Program in 2025 (including Development players) do not attend the “New to IBA Trial” and go straight to Trial 1. All female athletes go straight through to trial 1. Exemptions If an athlete cannot attend any of the trial sessions, they must apply for an exemption via the Google Form HERE . The Head of Basketball will confirm exemptions in line with the 2026 IBA Rep Handbook. Transfer Rules Players who previously played representative basketball at another association must complete the Intent to Trial form   HERE . Players will not be permitted to trial without this form. IBA is limited in the number of transfer players who can be accepted per age group each year. As per the BNSW Waratah Junior By Laws. What to Bring Drink bottle Basketball (if you have one) Reversible training singlet (if you have one) Sweat towel Runners / closed sports shoes Dates & Times All sessions at the Snakepit, Wollongong – 37 Foley St, Gwynneville NSW 2500 . Please take note that the U12 Girls Trials are adjusted due to stadium availability. Sunday 12th October – New to IBA Trials U12 Boys  – Year of birth 2015, 2016, 2017 - 8:30 am – 10:00 am U14 Boys  – Year of birth 2013, 2014 - 11:00 am – 1:00 pm U16 Boys  – Year of birth 2011, 2012 - 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm U18 Boys  – Year of birth 2009, 2010 - 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Saturday 18th October – JR Rep Trial 1 (Girls) U14 Girls  – Year of birth 2013, 2014 - 11:00 am – 1:00 pm U16 Girls  – Year of birth 2011, 2012 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm U18 Girls  – Year of birth 2009, 2010 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Sunday 19th October – JR Rep Trial 1 (Boys) U12 Boys  – Year of birth 2015, 2016, 2017 - 8:00 am – 10:00 am U14 Boys  – Year of birth 2013, 2014 - 11:00 am– 1:00 pm U16 Boys  – Year of birth 2011, 2012 - 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm U18 Boys  – Year of birth 2009, 2010 - 5:00 – 7:00 pm Sunday 26th October – JR Rep Trial 2 (U12s & U18s) U12 Girls   (Trial 1) – Year of birth 2015, 2016, 2017- 8:00 am – 10:00 am U12 Boys  – Year of birth 2015, 2016, 2017- 11:00 am – 1:00 pm U18 Girls  – Year of birth 2009, 2010 - 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm U18 Boys  – Year of birth 2009, 2010 - 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Saturday 1st November – JR Rep Trial 2 (Girls) U12 Girls   (Trial 2) – Year of birth 2015, 2016, 2017 - 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Sunday 2nd November – JR Rep Trial 2 (U14s & U16s) U14 Girls  – Year of birth 2013, 2014 - 8:00 am – 10:00 am U14 Boys  – Year of birth 2013, 2014 - 11:00 am – 1:00 pm U16 Girls  – Year of birth 2011, 2012- 2:00 – 4:00 pm U16 Boys  – Year of birth 2011, 2012 - 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Basketball Illawarra 2026 Junior Representative Girls Trials are still open!! Whether your daughter is stepping onto the court for the first time or continuing her journey in the Illawarra program, this is where it all begins — in a fun, positive, and challenging environment built on hard work, teamwork, and community pride. Why Rep Basketball? The Illawarra Representative Program gives girls the opportunity to develop their basketball skills, build confidence, and be part of a community that values effort, respect, and growth. Our goal is to help athletes become great players and  great people — teaching teamwork, discipline, and leadership in an environment that encourages learning and belonging. Many of Illawarra’s strongest female players have started their journey right here, progressing to Youth League, NBL1, and even WNBL programs. But above all, they’ve built lifelong friendships and memories that started at the Snakepit. Key Details Girls’ Trial Registrations Close:  Friday, 17 October, 3:00 pm📍 Location:  The Snakepit, 37 Foley St, Gwynneville NSW 2500 Trial Schedule – Girls Saturday 18th October – JR Rep Trial 1 (Girls) U14 Girls – Year of birth 2013, 2014 – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm U16 Girls – Year of birth 2011, 2012 – 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm U18 Girls – Year of birth 2009, 2010 – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Sunday 26th October – JR Rep Trial 2 (U12s & U18s) U12 Girls (Trial 1) – Year of birth 2015, 2016, 2017 – 8:00 am – 10:00 am U18 Girls – Year of birth 2009, 2010 – 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Saturday 1st November – JR Rep Trial 2 (Girls) U12 Girls (Trial 2) – Year of birth 2015, 2016, 2017 – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Sunday 2nd November – JR Rep Trial 2 (U14s & U16s) U14 Girls – Year of birth 2013, 2014 – 8:00 am – 10:00 am U16 Girls – Year of birth 2011, 2012 – 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm ⏰ Please arrive 10–15 minutes early. Courts open 30 minutes before each trial. 🏀 Bring: Basketball (if available), reversible singlet, drink bottle, towel, and runners. FAQs 1. What is the time commitment for rep basketball? The IBA Rep Program requires two training sessions per week, along with weekend games and possible tournaments. The schedule helps players improve consistently while enjoying a structured, team-based experience. 2. What are the key benefits of the IBA Rep Program for my daughter? Our program focuses on developing both basketball and life skills — including teamwork, leadership, and resilience. Players gain access to experienced coaches, development resources, and a clear pathway to higher levels of basketball in NSW. 3. Who will be coaching my daughter, and what qualifications do they have? All IBA Rep coaches are accredited with Basketball NSW and undergo continuous development. Each coach is selected through a transparent process led by the IBA Selection Panel. 4. What is the selection process for the teams? Players are evaluated during the trial period by a selection panel consisting of the Head of Basketball, an Independent Selector, and the Head Coach of the top division. Athletes may be released during trials based on skill, attitude, effort, and team balance. Final squad lists are posted by 5:00 pm on the Tuesday after each trial. 7. What are the costs involved? All fees, uniform details, and levy payment deadlines are outlined in the 2026 IBA Representative Handbook . Each team will also take part in one community engagement or fundraising activity during the season to help support program sustainability. Download the 2026 IBA Representative Handbook (PDF) Be Part of the Next Generation Illawarra Basketball has built a proud legacy of developing strong, hardworking young women who represent our region with pride. This is your daughter’s chance to be part of that story. For all enquiries or support with registration, please contact: Mackenzie Bates  – mackenzie.bates@snakepit.com.au

Basketball Illawarra is excited to announce that registrations for our 2026 Youth League Trials  are now open. This is the next step in the Illawarra player pathway, providing opportunities for young athletes to compete at the senior Waratah level and continue their development toward NBL1. The Youth League program plays a key role in bridging the gap between junior representative basketball and elite senior competition — building strong, accountable athletes who represent the Illawarra community with pride. 2026 Youth League Coaches We’re pleased to confirm the following coaching appointments for the upcoming season: Youth Women:  Amanda Giles Youth Men Red:  Zac Delaney Youth Men White  Daniel Muller Trial Information Location:  Warrawong High School Dates:  Thursday 6th November & Thursday 13th November 2025 Youth Women Time:  5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Eligible Birth Years:  2004 – 2008 Youth Men Time:  7:15 pm – 8:45 pm Eligible Birth Years:  2004 – 2008 What to Bring Drink bottle Basketball (if you have one) Reversible training singlet (if you have one) Sweat towel As part of the selection policy, all players (and parents if minors) must acknowledge that they are prepared to operate within the policies and guidelines outlined in the 2026 IBA Representative Handbook . 👉 Download the 2026 IBA Representative Handbook (PDF) Exemption Information If an athlete cannot attend any of the scheduled trial sessions, they must apply for an exemption by emailing ben.bagoly@snakepit.com.au Please include the reason for the request and any supporting documentation. Players may be released from the trial squad at any stage of the process. Register Now Secure your place at the trials below:👉 Register Here For all enquiries or further information, please contact: Ben Bagoly 📧 ben.bagoly@snakepit.com.au

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.