Basketball NSW’s High Performance team kicked off 2025 with an action-packed summer, featuring a series of elite tournaments and development events designed to foster the next generation of basketball talent. Throughout January, athletes, coaches, and officials participated in key competitions that provided high-level experience, skill development, and State Team selection opportunities.
East Coast Challenge (ECC):
The first major event of the year was the East Coast Challenge (ECC), held at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre. The ECC brought together eight NSW Metropolitan teams, consisting of two U16 Boys’ and Girls’ teams and two U18 Boys’ and Girls’ teams. These squads competed against Metropolitan teams from Victoria, South Australia, and the ACT in a high-intensity tournament designed to expose athletes to elite-level competition.
The event served as a crucial part of the U18 State Team selection process, allowing athletes to showcase their skills and gain valuable game experience under the guidance of experienced coaches and officials.
Basketball NSW Coach & Development Manager, Jarrod Moore, highlighted the significance of the event:
“The East Coast Challenge is an invaluable development opportunity for our young athletes. Competing against teams from other states allows our players to test themselves in different playing styles and conditions, while also giving selectors a great opportunity to assess talent ahead of the State Team selections.”
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Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup (ACJBC):
The Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup (ACJBC), held in Albury-Wodonga, remains a cornerstone of the country basketball calendar. This year, Basketball NSW sent 14 teams (140 athletes) and 42 coaches/managers to compete in the U14, U16, and U18 age groups. The tournament provided a platform for young country athletes to refine their skills, experience high-level competition, and build strong connections within the sport.
The event was not only an opportunity for players but also for officials, with 14 referees and 4 referee coaches from NSW participating. The intensive tournament environment allowed referees to develop their officiating skills, working closely with experienced mentors throughout the week.
Basketball NSW High Performance Coach, Macs Monk, spoke about the importance of the tournament:
“The ACJBC is a fantastic experience for our young players. The fast-paced nature of the tournament provides an excellent learning environment, and we’ve seen significant growth from our players over the course of the week.”
Special congratulations to the Under 16 Girls Kookaburras who took home the Cup for winning their age division.
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Southern Cross Challenge (SCC):
The Southern Cross Challenge (SCC), hosted by Basketball Victoria in Melbourne, provided another valuable opportunity for NSW’s emerging talent. Basketball NSW sent 9 teams, comprising athletes from both metropolitan and country regions, to compete in the U14 and U15 age groups. In a first, Basketball NSW also sent a wheelchair team to compete at the event.
The round-robin format mimicked the structure of a semi-national tournament, exposing athletes to high-pressure situations and elite competition. This experience is a key stepping stone for young players aspiring to represent NSW at future State Team tournaments.
Basketball NSW High Performance Coach, Curtis Sardi, emphasised the developmental benefits of the SCC:
“The Southern Cross Challenge is instrumental in preparing our athletes for the next level. The competition is intense, and it provides them with a taste of what it takes to perform at the highest junior level. We were impressed by the growth and adaptability our players displayed throughout the tournament. It was also great for our wheelchair athletes to join us for the inaugural year of the wheelchair competition as well.”
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U20 & Ivor Burge Foot Locker National Championships:
The final week of January saw the U20 and Ivor Burge Foot Locker National Championships take place in Ballarat. This prestigious tournament brought together the best young basketball talent in the country, giving NSW’s top U20 and Ivor Burge athletes the opportunity to compete on the national stage.
Basketball NSW General Manager of High Performance, Brett Coxsedge, reflected on the significance of the event:
“The U20 & Ivor Burge Nationals are a pinnacle event in the pathway for young elite athletes. It’s an opportunity for players to not only showcase their skills but also compete against some of the best in the country. A special congratulations to our U20 Women’s team who took out the Gold medal in a close one against QLD.”
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The 2025 summer period proved to be an incredible opportunity for Basketball NSW’s High Performance athletes, coaches, and officials. With a packed schedule of tournaments and development camps, NSW’s basketball future looks bright as we continue to build on the strong foundation set by these invaluable experiences.
Stay tuned for more updates as we follow our athletes through their High Performance journey in 2025!
To be redirected to our High Performance page to learn more about our programs, click HERE.
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