Basketball NSW is proud to announce the launch of the inaugural Waratah South-Western Junior Classic, a new representative basketball junior weekend designed to help prepare WJL & SJL teams for State Cup.
Set to take place in Wagga Wagga on 11th–12th July 2026, the event will bring together the top teams from the Southern Junior League (SJL) and Western Junior League (WJL) competitions for a weekend of elite junior basketball.
The tournament will feature the Division 1 Grand Finalists from both the SJL and WJL competitions across the Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 age groups.
Each age group will consist of four teams, with every side playing three games across the weekend, including matchups against teams from the opposing league as well as a Grand Final rematch from their respective competitions.
The Waratah South-Western Junior Classic has been developed to strengthen representative basketball opportunities across regional New South Wales, prepare teams to compete for a State title, whilst also creating new connections between basketball communities that would not traditionally compete against one another.
Located centrally between the Southern and Western regions, Wagga Wagga provides an ideal host location for the inaugural event and highlights Basketball NSW’s ongoing commitment to supporting and growing regional basketball pathways.
In addition to the on-court competition, the event will provide valuable development opportunities for referees and coaches, creating an environment focused on learning, performance and collaboration.
The tournament is expected to:
- Provide additional meaningful competition opportunities for regional representative teams
- Support preparation leading into State Cup
- Foster stronger relationships between Southern and Western basketball communities
- Create development opportunities for emerging referees and coaches
- Encourage continued growth and discussion around representative basketball in regional NSW
Basketball NSW looks forward to working alongside participating associations to deliver the inaugural Waratah South-Western Junior Classic in 2026.
Further information, including fixtures will be announced in the coming months post Southern Junior League Finals have taken place.
Please note this is a busy period in Wagga Wagga with other events taking place so we recommend booking accommodation promptly. Please see below links to accommodation, the phone number for the visitor centre as well as some of what’s on in Wagga!
For more information on accommodation options click HERE.
Visitor information centre – 1300 100 122
What’s on Wagga Calendar HERE and more info about the upcoming Festival of W HERE.
Key Details:
Waratah South-Western Junior Classic
Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th July
PCYC Wagga Wagga
Grand Finalists (2) per age group across WJL & SJL teams