12 national wheelchair basketball league clubs will do battle this week for finals glory in what’s tipped to be the biggest finals in league history.
From from 29–31 August the teams will hit the court in Sydney to showcase Australia’s best.
It’s another chance to spotlight the standout women’s competition, which has grown from four to six teams in response to athlete demand and a surge in youth development.
“The energy around the women’s game right now is unlike anything I’ve seen — there’s belief, hunger and a real sense we’re building something special,” said Sydney Blues captain Georgia Munro-Cook, who averaged a league-best 26.4 points per game and helped Australia win bronze at the recent International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) 3×3 World Championships in South Africa.
“This Finals series isn’t just about a trophy — it’s proof of how far our sport has come and how bright the future is.”
The ladder-leading Blues will face cross-town rivals Sydney Uni Lions, whose late-season surge was sparked by signing United States Paralympic gold medallist Rose Hollerman. Debutants Victoria Wonders also cracked the top four, which is a great achievement in their first year.
Men look to ‘finish the story’
In the men’s division, the Darwin Salties have dominated, dropping just one game all season. They are powered by Most Valuable Player (MVP) frontrunners Jaylen Brown and three-point specialist Tom O’Neill-Thorne.
“We’ve poured so much into this season — now it’s about finishing the story,” said Darwin captain Clarence McCarthy-Grogan.
“Going back-to-back would be massive — not just for us as players, but for the entire community behind us.”
3×3 joins the game
Finals weekend will be even bigger with the addition of 3X3 for the first time.
Manly, Wollongong, Perth and Red Dust have qualified in the men’s division with just one win separating first to fourth, while the Sydney Blues, Perth, Gold Coast and Adelaide will vie for the women’s 3X3 title.
“This is the biggest and strongest finals we’ve ever staged — you can feel history being made,” said Wheelchair Basketball Australia director Lorraine Landon.
“From increased spectator interest, wheelchair basketball is reaching new heights — and this finals series shows exactly why Australians are falling in love with it.”
Newly appointed executive general manager John Palmer said the finals were a powerful springboard for the next phase of the sport’s growth.
“These finals are a reminder of the calibre of athletes we have in Australia and the momentum building behind wheelchair basketball. With LA 2028 and our home Paralympics in Brisbane 2032 ahead, the opportunity to elevate the sport and showcase our athletes to new audiences has never been greater.”
The finals (29–31 August) will be held at the Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre in Warriewood, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. View the full schedule at wba.net.au