The 2025 Foot Locker Under 20 and Ivor Burge National Championships are set to ignite the basketball courts of Victoria this week, showcasing the nation’s top young talent.
For the second consecutive year, Ballarat’s Selkirk Stadium will welcome 28 teams from across Australia as they compete for the first national title of the year. The week-long tournament runs from January 28th to February 2nd, promising an action-packed start to the basketball calendar.
The Ivor Burge competition, dedicated to athletes with an intellectual disability who meet VIRTUS classification requirements, will also take center stage. This division offers players the opportunity to represent their states and vie for national honors. Teams from six Australian states will compete, with New Zealand joining the Men’s division for added international flair. The Ivor Burge action tips off on January 29.
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.
U20 Women
Head Coach: Tom Garlepp
Assistant Coach: Shelley Bates
Assistant Coach: Rachel Higgisson
Manager: Renelle Genner
With a decorated coaching career, Tom Garlepp enters his seventh campaign as Head Coach for the U20 NSW Women. Under his leadership, the team has achieved outstanding success, winning gold medals in 2023 and 2021, a silver in 2019, and a bronze in 2024. A cornerstone of NSW basketball, Garlepp is closely affiliated with Norths, where he serves as the Head Coach of the NBL1 Men’s team. His expertise is further underscored by his role as Head Coach with the Australian Sapphires, showcasing his impact on the national stage. Renowned for his strategic acumen and ability to inspire excellence, Garlepp brings unparalleled experience and a proven track record of success to this year’s squad.
Shelley Bates steps into her first U20 Nationals campaign, bringing a dynamic blend of fresh energy and a strong coaching pedigree. In 2024, she led the U18 NSW Country team as Head Coach, showcasing her ability to develop emerging talent and achieve success at elite levels. With a wealth of experience as both Head Coach and Assistant Coach for various Country Girls teams, Bates has sharpened her skills and gained deep insight into what it takes to thrive in high-performance environments. Her coaching journey includes active involvement in Australian Junior Country Basketball Cups and Basketball NSW High-Performance Programs, further enhancing her expertise. Bates is currently aligned with Wollondilly and is eager to contribute to the U20 team’s success.
Returning for her fifth U20 Nationals campaign, Rachel Higgisson brings a wealth of experience and insight to the coaching staff. Affiliated with Norths and serving as an Assistant Coach for their Women’s NBL1 team, Higgisson is widely respected for her sharp basketball mind and her ability to connect with athletes. Her consistent presence and depth of knowledge provide invaluable stability and guidance, ensuring the team is well-prepared for the challenges of the tournament.
Renelle Genner enters her third U20 Nationals campaign, Genner is affectionately known as the lifeblood of NSW U20 Women’s basketball commonly referred to as ‘Mumma G’. Her dedication, enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment is an indispensable part of the team. Genner’s influence extends beyond the court, fostering a culture of resilience and unity among players and staff alike.
U20 Men
Head Coach: Reece Potter
Assistant Coach: Tim Mallon
Assistant Coach: Rowan Choi
Manager: Andris Jaunalksnis
Reece Potter, from the Hills Hornets, takes the helm as Head Coach for the U20 Men’s team. A key figure in the Basketball NSW pathway, Potter has previously contributed to the success of NSW Metro U18 state teams in recent years. In addition to his state-level involvement, he currently serves as the Head Coach of Basketball at Knox Grammar and leads the Hornets’ NBL1 Men’s team, showcasing his extensive coaching expertise and leadership across multiple levels of the game.
Serving as the lead assistant is Tim Mallon, a highly accomplished coach with an extensive resume in basketball development and high-performance programs. As the Head Coach and Technical Director at Dimes Basketball, Mallon leads development training and consults with associations to elevate their programs. A seasoned Australian Junior Program coach, he has attended multiple World Championships, showcasing his expertise on the international stage. Mallon has also served as an NBL Assistant Coach and an AIS Scholarship Coach, further highlighting his elite coaching credentials. With a long history of involvement in NSW State and High-Performance programs plus the Maitland Mustangs, Mallon brings unparalleled experience and technical knowledge to the team.
Rowan Choi joins the coaching staff as the second assistant, bringing a wealth of experience and a strong connection to basketball development in NSW. In 2024, Choi served as the Assistant Coach for the U18 Metro Boys team and has been an integral part of the NSW State Performance Program (SPP) and the Development Athlete Program (DAP) network. Affiliated with the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders, Choi is currently coaching their U16 Boys Premier team, where he continues to nurture emerging talent and contribute to the growth of basketball in the region.
Andris Jaunalksnis takes on the role of Manager, bringing valuable experience from his tenure as Manager for the 2024 U18 NSW Country Boys team at Nationals. Affiliated with the Maitland Mustangs, Jaunalksnis is actively involved in coaching, currently serving as an Assistant Coach for the Mustangs’ Youth League Men Division 1 team and the U18 Men Division 2 team. His dedication to player development and organisational expertise make him a key asset to the team’s success both on and off the court.
U20 Men Blue
Head Coach: Pat Williamson
Assistant Coach: Lachlan Clark
Assistant Coach: Aidan Zlotnick
Manager: Marilyn Rowan
Patrick Williamson takes the reins as Head Coach for the U20 NSW Blue Men after two successful years as an assistant coach under Brook Pearce, culminating in a silver medal in 2023 in Geelong. Williamson’s Head Coaching experience includes leading Sutherland’s Men’s NBL1 team to an NBL1 East Championship and securing a 4th-place finish at the NBL1 Nationals in 2024. As the High Performance & Coaching Manager at Sutherland Basketball, Williamson has been a driving force in creating development pathways for young athletes. His leadership promises to set a high standard for the team as they aim to make their mark on the national stage.
Lachlan Clark steps into his first campaign with the Under 20’s after serving as an assistant coach for the Under 18 Metro Boys team at two previous Nationals. A passionate advocate for player development at his home association of Manly, Clark has several years of experience in the Basketball NSW system, including contributions to the State Performance Program and National Performance Program. Most recently he coached Manly’s Under 16 Boys to the Junior Premier League Finals in 2024 and also played for their Men’s NBL1 team. He also holds an Assistant Coach role at The Scots College, where his efforts have elevated the school’s performance in the GPS competition.
Aidan Zlotnick embarks on his first Nationals as part of the NSW coaching staff, bringing a wealth of experience and success from his work with junior and senior teams at Norths. His accomplishments include a top 10 finish at the U14 Club Championships in 2022, an U14 State Title in 2023, and multiple appearances at National Junior Classics with U14 and U16 teams. In 2024, Zlotnick further showcased his coaching prowess by leading the Norths Bears U16 Boys to a Silver Medal in the Junior Premier League Finals. He is also Head of Basketball and 1st V Coach at Emanuel School.
Stepping into the Manager role for the first time at Nationals is Marilyn Rowan. With experience as the Sutherland Sharks Men’s Manager during the past few NBL1 East seasons, Rowan brings her organisational expertise and dedication to supporting the team throughout the week.
Ivor Burge Women
Head Coach: Cheryl Wills
Assistant Coach: Cindy Mascord
Assistant Coach: Rosalind Wells-Davies
Manager: Sarah Mottram
Cheryl Wills returns for her fourth campaign at the national tournament as Head Coach of the Ivor Burge Women’s team, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success, including three consecutive silver medals. A highly accomplished coach at Newcastle Basketball, Wills will also take on the role of Head Coach for their Waratah Women’s program in 2025. With a deep understanding of the physical and technical demands of competitive basketball, she is determined to guide this talented group to even greater achievements. Renowned for her exceptional communication and leadership skills, Wills is committed to fostering growth, confidence, and excellence in her players throughout the tournament.
Supporting Wills is Assistant Coach Ros Wells-Davies, making her fourth appearance at the national tournament. With over 30 years of experience in coaching and team management, Wells-Davies brings invaluable expertise and a steady presence to the coaching staff. In addition to her role with the Ivor Burge Women’s team, she serves as the Head Coach for the U16 Maitland Mustang Girls this season, further demonstrating her dedication to player development.
Joining the coaching staff for her second year at the national level is Cindy Mascord, the Newcastle Falcons Waratah Women’s Assistant Coach. Mascord brings a wealth of basketball knowledge and tactical expertise, gained through years of coaching junior and senior teams at her home association. A former American import player for Newcastle, she offers a unique perspective and dynamic energy that enriches the team’s coaching staff.
Rounding out the team is Newcastle’s Sarah Mottram, an experienced manager returning for her third national tournament. With a strong background in refereeing across various levels within Basketball NSW, Mottram provides essential support to the team both on and off the court. Her organisational skills and deep understanding of the game ensure that players and coaches are well-equipped to perform at their best throughout the competition.
Ivor Burge Men
Head Coach: Paul O’Neill
Assistant Coach/Manager: Mick Harris
Paul O’Neill returns to lead the Ivor Burge Men’s team for an impressive eighth consecutive year, bringing his unparalleled expertise and dedication to the role. A cornerstone of the Sutherland basketball community, O’Neill has been at the helm since 2018, demonstrating his exceptional leadership and deep understanding of the game. With over 35 years of experience, including two decades with Sydney South Special Olympics and 25 years as a Head Coach at a Sports School, his influence spans coaching, administration, and board governance. His unwavering commitment to excellence ensures he will once again inspire his team to achieve their best.
Joining O’Neill on the coaching staff is Mick Harris, a steadfast contributor to the Ivor Burge program since 2018. Harris brings a unique and diverse coaching background, extending beyond basketball to include skiing and snowboarding. His passion for developing athletes, particularly those often overlooked, has driven his involvement in numerous prestigious events, including the Special Olympics World Games in Austria, the Trans Tasman tournament in Cairns, the Asia Pacific Australian Team events in Newcastle and Adelaide, and the National Games in Melbourne and Canberra. Harris and O’Neill will also play key roles in the selection process for Special Olympics teams competing at the 2026 Nationals. Together, they form a dynamic duo, equipped to lead the Ivor Burge Men’s team with skill, experience, and dedication.
Key dates:
Monday 27 January: Media Day, Training (Under 20 teams only)
Tuesday 28 January: Pool Games (Under 20) / Media Day & Training (Ivor Burge teams)
Wednesday 29 January: Pool Games
Thursday 30 January: Pool Games
Friday 31 January: Quarter Finals and Classifications
Saturday 1 February: Semi Finals and Classifications
Sunday 2 February: Grand Final, Playoffs and Closing Ceremony
Fixture:
Fixtures available here.
Tickets:
Tickets available here.
Note: Can only be purchased online.
Live Stream:
Click HERE for more information on how to watch online.