AUGUST 2026 Report Card

An overview of integrity, conduct and member protection matters managed across NSW representative basketball during August 2026.

During August, 141 representative games were played across senior and junior leagues throughout NSW as the representative season culminated in finals across NBL1 East, Waratah Senior League, Junior Premier League and State Cup. 91% of games were played in the right spirit by players, coaches, officials, parents and spectators.

While the overwhelming majority of games were conducted positively, this result sits below the standard we are aiming for as a sport. The intensity of finals basketball also highlighted that further work is required, with spectator behaviour continuing to be a key area of concern.

These results reinforce the importance of our ongoing focus on creating safe, respectful and positive environments for everyone involved in our game. Sharing this information openly remains part of our commitment to transparency, education and continuous cultural change through Respect The Game.

141
Representative games played in May
91%
Played in the right spirit with no BNSW intervention required
13
Matters dealt with (fewer than 1 in 11 games)

AUGUST 2026 – Matters dealt with

Type of Matter Cases Outcome Summary
Tribunal Matters 5 Outcomes ranged from cautions and behaviour agreements through to suspensions of 1.
Zero Tolerance Complaints 5 Outcomes ranged from formal warnings to bans of between 1 and 2 months.
Member Protection Complaints 5 Outcomes ranged from 1 unsubstantiated complaint, 3 bans of between 1 and 2 months and 1 refereed to BA Integrity Unit.

Key headline outcomes

From the 13 matters dealt with by Basketball NSW in August, the most significant outcomes included:

1
Suspensions
7
Bans imposed
0
Referrals to NSW Police
0
WWC clearance barred
A note on spectator behaviour

The intensity of finals basketball has once again highlighted spectator behaviour as our greatest area of concern. Our referees, coaches, players and volunteers as many of them are young people – have the right to participate in a safe environment, free from intimidation or abuse from the sideline, regardless of how much is on the line for their team.

Respect The Game applies to everyone in the venue, and at every point of the season. Basketball NSW will continue to act firmly where standards are not met, and we encourage every parent, family member and supporter to back the standards we have set together.

Where spectators fall short of these standards, Basketball NSW imposes bans, as spectators are not registered participants, bans are the appropriate sanction available to us.

JuLY vs AUGUST – at a glance

Measure July 2026 August 2026
Representative games played 655 141
% played in the right spirit 96% 91%
Matters dealt with 26 13
Suspensions issued 9 1
Bans imposed 6 7

The headline: August marked the culmination of the representative season with finals played across NBL1 East, Waratah Senior League, Junior Premier League and State Cup. Games played dropped to 141, and while total matters dealt with fell from 26 to 13, the share of games played in the right spirit dipped from 96% to 91% – below the standard we are aiming for. The intensity of finals basketball once again highlighted spectator behaviour as our greatest area of concern, with bans imposed rising from 6 to 7 despite the significantly lower volume of games.

From our Interim CEO, David Simpson

“August has delivered a challenging month as our representative season culminated in finals across NBL1 East, Waratah Senior League, Junior Premier League and State Cup. While 91% of games were played in the right spirit, this sits below the standard we set ourselves as a sport, and the intensity of finals basketball has again shown that spectator behaviour remains our greatest area of concern.

Basketball NSW will continue to act firmly. Finals do not change the standards of behaviour we expect from anyone at our venues. Respect The Game applies at every point of the season, and we ask every player, coach, official, parent and supporter to remember that.”

Reporting an incident

If you have witnessed or experienced behaviour that does not align with our standards, we encourage you to report it. All reports are managed confidentially and reviewed by Basketball NSW’s Integrity team.

Report an Incident