The 2025 Foot Locker Under 18 & National Junior Wheelchair Championships are set to take place at the South Pine Sports Complex in Brendale, Queensland from Sunday 6th to Sunday 13th April. Co-hosted by Basketball Australia and Northside Wizards Basketball Association, this prestigious event will see the country’s top junior athletes represent their state in a week of high-level competition.
Kicking off with an Opening Ceremony on Saturday 5th April, the week-long tournament will include pool games, quarter-finals, classifications, and finals, culminating in a Closing Ceremony on Sunday 13th April.
The National Junior Wheelchair Championships (formerly known as the Kevin Coombs Cup) will once again be contested by athletes who meet the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation classification criteria, playing for the honour of lifting the Kevin Coombs Cup trophy.
Basketball NSW extends its best wishes to our five NSW representative teams as they gear up for the tournament. To celebrate the occasion, we’ve prepared a coach’s preview to spotlight the dedicated staff leading the charge. From the sidelines to the court, these coaches play a pivotal role in developing our athletes and representing New South Wales with pride on the national stage. Get to know the passionate individuals guiding our teams at the 2025 Foot Locker Under 18 & National Junior Wheelchair Championships.
U18 Metro Boys
Head Coach: Will Hill
Assistant Coach: Angus Bourke
Assistant Coach: Darren Duff
Manager: Yoppy Suwanto
Leading the Under 18 Metro Boys at the 2025 Championships is Head Coach Will Hill, returning for his second year in the top role and fifth overall at nationals. Hill has been a consistent presence within the U18 Metro Men’s program since 2020, serving as Assistant Coach for four years before stepping up as Head Coach in 2024. A long-time coach with the Sydney Comets, Hill has spent the past nine seasons developing players across various age groups, and currently leads their NBL1 Men’s side. In addition to his club commitments, he is the Head of Boys Basketball and 1sts Coach at St. Andrews Cathedral School, a position he has held for a decade.
Assistant Coach Angus Bourke brings a wealth of national championship experience to the Under 18 Metro Boys program in 2025. This marks his sixth appearance at nationals, highlighted by a silver medal with the U20 Women in 2019. Bourke is currently the Assistant Coach of the Sutherland Sharks NBL1 Men’s team and is well-regarded for his strategic mind and ability to build strong team cultures.
Joining the Under 18 Metro Boys coaching staff as Assistant Coach in 2025 is Darren Duff, bringing with him a strong coaching résumé across both NSW Country and Metro programs. Duff previously served as Assistant Coach for the NSW Country U18 Boys from 2021 to 2023, In addition to his state commitments, Duff is currently an Assistant Coach for the Bankstown Bruins NBL1 Men’s team and Head Coach of their U16 Boys Division 1 side.
Team Manager Yoppy Suwanto returns for his second national championships, bringing a calm and experienced presence to the Under 18 Metro Boys program. With previous experience as a manager at the NBL1 level, Suwanto offers both logistical expertise and a deep understanding of the game. His background as a Head Coach and Assistant Coach across various leagues highlights his ability to support teams in high-pressure environments. He currently is with the Hills Basketball Association.
U18 Metro Girls
Head Coach: Danielle D’Morias
Assistant Coach: Lauryn Curtin
Assistant Coach: Shac Shorer
Manager: Emily Brokmann
Leading the Under 18 Metro Girls in 2025 is Head Coach Dani D’Morais, returning to the national stage with a strong track record of success. D’Morais previously served as Assistant Coach for the U18 Women’s team in 2022 and 2023, earning back-to-back silver medals, before stepping into the Head Coach role for the U16 Women in 2024. She is a key figure at Hills Basketball Association, currently Head Coach of the Youth League Women’s Division 1 team and Assistant Coach for the NBL1 Women. Recently named the 2024 Youth League Women Coach of the Year, she brings leadership, experience, and a proven ability to guide athletes at the highest levels of junior competition.
Assistant Coach Lauryn Curtin brings extensive experience and a winning resume to the team. Currently the Head Coach of the Bankstown Bruins NBL1 Women’s team, she also leads the NSW Combined High Schools and NSW All Schools girls teams, with coaching experience spanning all age groups from U14s to NBL1. This will be her 10th appearance at Nationals, having previously coached three times as Head Coach and six as Assistant. A long-time contributor to the Basketball NSW High Performance Pathway, her journey includes roles in TAP Camps, D-League, the Southern Cross Challenge. Most recently, she helped lead the NSW U18 Girls to a National Championship in 2024, and now returns with a wealth of knowledge and a passion for developing young athletes.
Joining the U18 Metro Girls coaching staff in 2025 is Assistant Coach Shac Shorer, making his debut at the national championships. A dedicated coach with the Norths Bears Basketball Association, Shorer currently leads the Youth League Women’s team and serves as an Assistant Coach for the NBL1 Women. He is also the Head Coach of the Senior 1st Girls at Barker College, where he guided the team to a bronze medal in the Championship Division at the 2024 Australian Schools Championships. Shorer’s 2024 season also included a Youth League Division 1 title.
Team Manager Emily Brokmann brings energy, warmth, and a strong sense of care to the U18 Metro Girls program in her first appearance at the national championships. A familiar face and fan favourite at the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup, Brokmann is known for creating a fun, supportive, and inclusive team environment. Her years of involvement in high-level junior tournaments and her ability to connect with athletes make her an invaluable addition to the 2025 campaign.
U18 Country Boys
Head Coach: Matthew Neason
Assistant Coach: Alvin Caoyonan
Assistant Coach: Eric Hackett
Manager: Scott Goodier
Leading the Under 18 Country Boys in 2025 is Head Coach Matt Neason, bringing over 25 years of coaching experience to his first campaign with NSW Country. Neason’s previous national championship experience includes seven years with Vic Metro, Queensland North, and the ACT. As an Assistant Coach with the Vic Metro U16 Men from 2004 to 2006, he helped secure two gold medals and one silver. Currently affiliated with the Batemans Bay Breakers, Neason also coaches within the South Coast Hoops program and the South East Sports Academy (SESA). His coaching career includes time as a Scholarship Coach at the Australian Institute of Sport, reflecting a long-standing dedication to developing athletes at the highest level.
Assisting Head Coach Matt Neason is Alvin Caoyonan, attending his fourth National Championships in 2025. Caoyonan previously served as Assistant Coach for the U16 Country Boys in 2022 and 2023, and now back for his second campaign with the U18 program, bringing continuity and insight to the squad. A long-standing member of the BNSW High Performance coaching ranks, he has contributed to multiple state development programs, including the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup. Caoyonan also plays a key role in the North Coast Academy of Sport and currently serves as Director of Coaching at the Byron Beez. He is also the Head of Basketball at Hillcrest Christian College. Known for his calm leadership and strong connection with athletes, he adds valuable experience, trust, and depth to the 2025 coaching staff.
Assistant Coach Eric Hackett returns to the U18 Country Boys program for his third Nationals campaign. After serving as the U18 Assistant Coach in 2024 and the U16 Development Coach in 2023, Hackett has been a dedicated contributor to the BNSW High Performance program since 2018. Based at the Illawarra Basketball Association, he currently leads the U18 Boys in the Junior Premier League and serves as an Assistant Coach for their NBL1 Men’s team. A strong believer in the proud history and tradition of NSW Country basketball, Hackett is passionate about upholding its values and helping shape the next generation of athletes.
Team Manager Scott Goodier steps into his first Nationals campaign with a strong foundation in the Basketball NSW pathway and a lifelong commitment to the game. A familiar face at events such as D-League, the Shootout Challenge, ACJBC, and HPP trials, Goodier has been a consistent contributor to the development of junior athletes across the state. He currently coaches the U18 Men’s Division 1 team for the Central Coast Waves in the NEJL, a club he has proudly represented as both a player and coach for over 30 years.
U18 Country Girls
Head Coach: Andrew Williams
Assistant Coach: Brodey Fruean
Assistant Coach: Maddison Delaney
Manager: Leisa Mihai
Leading the Under 18 Country Girls into the 2025 Championships is Head Coach Andrew Williams, a familiar and respected figure within Coffs Harbour and the Basketball NSW High Performance pathway. After serving as Assistant Coach for the U16 Country Boys (2022–2023) and U18 Country Girls in 2024, Williams steps into the Head Coach role this year. A long-time contributor to the Australian Junior Basketball Country Cup program, he has coached U16 and U18 girls at the representative level for the past eight years, including a runner-up finish in the 2024 Junior Premier League and a State Cup title in 2019.
Albury’s own Brodey Fruean returns as Assistant Coach of the Under 18 Country Girls for a third consecutive year, bringing extensive experience and a strong connection to this age group. She currently leads the Albury Cougars U16 Girls JPL and Senior Women CBL teams, where her ability to inspire and develop athletes is widely recognised. Fruean’s coaching impact extends well beyond her local association, she has been a regular contributor to Basketball NSW’s Talented Athlete Program Camps, the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup, and various high-performance initiatives.
Assistant Coach Maddison Delaney returns for her fourth Nationals campaign with NSW Country, bringing continuity, energy, and a deep understanding of the pathway. Having previously served as Assistant Coach for the U16 Country Girls in recent years, Delaney now steps into the U18 program with a strong foundation and rapport with many of the athletes. Affiliated with the Illawarra Hawks, she is a leader within the Girls and Women’s program having coached multiple age groups over the past few seasons, she currently coaches the U14 Girls in the Junior Premier League, offering valuable on-court insight and mentorship.
Team Manager Leisa Mihai brings experience, care, and a strong sense of team culture to the Under 18 Country Girls program. Representing the Coffs Harbour Basketball Association, Mihai was part of the 2023 U16 Boys Nationals campaign and has managed numerous representative and Country teams over the years. A passionate and highly organised leader, she’s played a key role in creating a supportive and inclusive environment
Junior Wheelchair
Head Coach: Rohan Foy
Assistant Coach: Richard Howard
Assistant Coach: Janna Mizens
Manager: Melissa Sullivan
Leading the Junior Wheelchair team at the 2025 National Championships is Head Coach Rohan Foy, returning for his second year at Junior Nationals after serving as Assistant Coach in 2024. Foy brings over a decade of experience in wheelchair basketball and currently coaches the Canberra Gunners in the Waratah League and the Manly Wheel Eagles in the National League. He is also the President of Canberra Wheelchair Basketball. His journey in the sport began in 2011, driven by a commitment to creating inclusive opportunities in the Canberra region. Since then, he has played a key role in revitalising the Canberra Chargers and continues to be a passionate leader in the development of the game.
Joining the Junior Wheelchair team as Assistant Coach is Richard Howard, whose decades of experience in high performance programs bring valuable insight to the 2025 campaign. From 1993 to 2013, Howard held various coaching roles at the national level, earning 11 bronze and 2 silver medals. A long-time representative coach with the Hills Hornets since 1996 and previously with the Parramatta Wildcats, he has coached across all levels, including juniors and NBL1.
Basketball NSW’s Wheelchair Development Manager, Janna Mizens, joins the Junior Wheelchair coaching staff as the second Assistant Coach for the 2025 campaign. A former athlete herself, Mizens brings a wealth of experience to the role, including winning gold at the 2004 Summer Paralympics. Her background at the elite level and current leadership within the wheelchair basketball space make her a valuable asset to the team, as she helps guide the next generation of athletes through the national championship experience.
Team Manager Mel Sullivan brings passion, commitment, and a strong developmental mindset to the 2025 Junior Wheelchair program. A dedicated member of the Bathurst Goldminers, Mel has been part of the club’s coaching staff for the past three years, drawing on her own experience as a junior and State League player in the 1990s. She recently led the Bathurst U14 Boys to a Western Junior League championship and currently serves as Assistant Coach for both the U14 Girls and U18 Men’s Division 2 teams. Over the past 12 months, Mel has also been actively involved in the NSW Wheelchair and State Performance Programs. Mel’s leadership and care make her an integral part of the 2025 campaign.
You can catch all the action live from home thanks to KommunityTV (subscription required), with every game streamed throughout the tournament. Click HERE for more information.
Be sure to follow Basketball NSW on social media as we bring you highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, and all the key updates from our five NSW teams competing at the 2025 Foot Locker Under 18 & Junior Wheelchair National Championships.
Basketball Australia’s event information click HERE.