The 2025 Basketball NSW U16 & U18 D-League wrapped up over the weekend in Penrith, bringing together some of the state’s most promising athletes, coaches, and referees. The two-day tournament not only highlighted the skill and commitment of participants but also reaffirmed the D-League’s role as a cornerstone in the player and coach development pathway.
In total, the event featured 240 athletes, 46 coaches, and 40 referees from both Metro and Country NSW. Across games and training sessions, participants were able to sharpen their abilities, build connections, and experience the demands of a high-performance environment.
D-League is designed to identify and nurture talent emerging from the NSW Waratah Junior Leagues. By providing players and coaches with a competitive, tournament-style environment, the program emphasises both development and competition, preparing participants for the next stage in their basketball journeys.
Back in 2024, Basketball NSW refined the format to condense each age group into a single weekend of training and competition. This change reduced travel costs and scheduling pressures for families, while still delivering intensive development opportunities. This year a similar structure was implemented.
The next instalment of D-League will see the U14 & U15 D-League held on 25th – 26th October, 2025, continuing the opportunity for younger and older age groups to showcase their skills.
Basketball NSW’s General Manager of Coaching and Development, Brett Coxsedge, said this year’s event proved just how vital D-League is for aspiring athletes and coaches.
“D-League continues to be a vital stepping stone in our pathway. It gives athletes and coaches from across the state a chance to compete and grow together in a high-performance environment,” Coxsedge said.
“Once again, the commitment and enthusiasm from the athletes, referees, coaches, and parents were instrumental in making D-League a huge success.”
Basketball NSW would like to thank Momentum Physiotherapy and Health Services, who supported athletes with injury prevention and recovery throughout the tournament. Special thanks were also given to the referees and referee coach educators, whose professionalism and dedication were central to ensuring a smooth and competitive event.
As athletes now prepare for the upcoming representative trials, Basketball NSW acknowledges the vital role played by referees, coaches, officials, and families in making the D-League such a success. Their combined efforts continue to make the tournament one of the highlights of the basketball calendar.
The pathway continues later this year, with the U14 & U15 D-League set for October 25–26, 2025.