Basketball NSW releases this statement to provide clarity regarding the Valley Braves Basketball Association (VBBA) representative team nominations for the 2026 season.
Basketball NSW administers all competitions under a consistent governance and by-laws framework. This includes assessing every association’s representative nominations against the same criteria.
Between 2023 and 2025, Basketball NSW worked with Valley Braves Basketball Association under a two-year plan. Throughout this period, concerns were raised and the Braves made efforts to address them, which enabled their ongoing participation.
For the 2026 season, VBBA submitted nominations for eleven teams. After reviewing their submission, Basketball NSW approved six teams. The decision was based on documented criteria including domestic participation numbers, coach and referee capacity, and player eligibility. These requirements apply to every association, and VBBA was provided with the relevant information and was aware of these requirements throughout the process.
VBBA exercised its right to appeal. The Waratah League Advisory Committee reviewed the appeal independently and upheld the original decision.
Basketball NSW stands by the process and outcome. We continue to support VBBA and look forward to the Braves’ six teams competing in 2026.
BNSW has maintained consistent and transparent communication with VBBA throughout the process. While BNSW respects the rights of associations to make public statements, we note that some of the recent commentary has resulted in external parties misrepresenting the situation. Certain matters are currently under investigation and may result in sanctions for the external parties involved.