BASKETBALL

The WRAS program provides high performance coaching and training opportunities to up-skill athletes and assist them in progressing to higher representation within the sport of basketball.

The WRAS basketball program is endorsed by Basketball NSW as the first step in the elite athlete pathway and represents the Developing Athlete Program (DAP program) for the Western Region.

Athletes in the Basketball NSW SPP program are eligible to trial for the WRAS program.

The program sits between local representative basketball and higher order representation such as NSW state country team selection.

The 2026 basketball program will run from September 2025 to May 2026. Athletes will graduate from the program at the 2026 Presentation Night in June.

TRIAL INFORMATION

Nominations for the 2026 Basketball program have now closed.

To register your interest for the 2027 program click here

ELIGIBILITY & SELECTION PROCESS

To be eligible for selection in the 2026 Basketball program athletes must:

turn 12-17 in 2026 (birth years 2009-2014)
be living or attending school in the WRAS catchment area
be a current financial member of their local association and Basketball NSW
submit a nomination form before the closing date and attend one of the scheduled trial days
be playing local representative basketball
For the U18 squad – athletes are expected to have been identified via a BNSW talent pathway program in the previous 12-18 months (for example NSW State Performance Program, NSW Country Squad, NSW Country D-League, BNSW Shootout, IBA State Selection). Athletes that have not been identified via a BNSW talent pathway program are encouraged to apply if they are interested in progressing to BNSW talent pathway programs and basketball is their primary sport of focus.

Please note – an U14 athlete may also be invited into the Senior program (U16) if deemed appropriate by Head Coach and Basketball NSW.

The following selection criteria may be taken into consideration during the selection process:

Physical attributes and capabilities
Technical competence
Tactical awareness
Potential to improve
Competitive ability
Individual application
Performance and results at specific events
Coachability and behavior

ATHLETE BENEFITS

Intensive training sessions by local elite coaches
Skill development
Inter-Academy Development camps
Injury prevention screenings and Strength and Conditioning training programs
Sports science fitness testing
Educational seminars
Opportunities to compete in elite events such as the Your Local Club Academy Games

2026 PROGRAM STAFF

Coordinating Coach
Claire Bynon

Assistant Coaches
Ben Keegan
Hannah Lepaio
Sarah Shackleton
Bianca Wilson
Jamahl Zegzula

Satellite Coaches
Peter Doran
Peter Griffiths
Scott Holmes
Jess McGrath

Manager
Jeremy Frew

2026 ATHLETES

Graduate U18 Squad – Male

Jack Bird
Callum Bowen
Lowan Francis
Patrick Frew
Flynn Keegan
Noah Quirk
Wyatt Robertson
Eli Roberts
Tawhiao Selway
Eli Vanstone

Graduate U18 Squad – Female

Audrey Blyth
Kaitlyn Collins
Ruby Dover
Jazzy Gordon
Emerson Hartley
Isobel Nathan
Mia Richardson
Pania Tapu
Annika Theobald
Ruby Turnbull
Sybella Vardanega

Senior U16 Squad – Male

Xavier Bowen
Zach Brakenridge
Jedd Davies
Luke De Losa
Blake Griffiths
Paddy Keegan
Aston Lett
Max Stiff
Jonah Sullivan
Mason Weir

Senior U16 Squad – Female

Liliana Collins
Bo Gordon
Alice Harvey
Alicia Kicovic
Jada Shackleton
Willow Scott
Audrey Theobald
Ivy Toomey
Lucy Turner
Phoebe Wong

Development U14 Squad – Male

Noah Brakenridge
Oliver Coe
Brody De Losa
Toby Dover
Cassius Ebeling
Thomas Galvin
Lucas McDonald
Harry McMaster
Arthur Skinner
Henry Sullivan

Development U14 Squad – Female

Matilda Cantrill
Ella Collett
Zara Dickson
Eleanor Disher
Uriah Forrester
Evie Galvin
Sophie Leonard
Charlotte Morris
Eva-Rose Sullivan
Frankie Wilson
Ada Weir