NBL1 West, formerly the State Basketball League (SBL), is a semi-professional basketball league in Western Australia, comprising both a men's and women's competition. In 2020, Basketball Western Australia partnered with the National Basketball League (NBL) to bring NBL1 to Western Australia. NBL1 replaced the former SBL to create more professional pathways and opportunities for males and females playing basketball in Western Australia. As a result, the SBL became the west conference of NBL1.
History
The State Basketball League originated in 1972 as the District Competition. The District Competition was introduced by the Western Australian Basketball Federation (WABF) as an 'elite' competition held on Friday nights, featuring eight Perth-based associations from the prominent districts of Perth, Swan Districts, Tangney/Willetton, Subiaco, East Perth, Cockburn, Stirling, and Claremont.
In 1987, plans were put in place to expand the competition and include several country teams. In 1988, it was decided to form a State Basketball League for both men and women, and in 1989 the SBL made its debut season with three new franchises established in country areas: Rainbow Coast Raiders from Albany, Batavia Buccaneers from Geraldton, and Souwest Slammers from Bunbury. Kanyana Kings from Mandurah and Goldfields Giants from Kalgoorlie joined in 1990.
In 2017, the SBL shifted to the 40-minute game format in-line with FIBA, with games consisting of ten minute quarters as opposed to the twelve minute quarters under the previous 48-minute format.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 SBL season was cancelled and later replaced by the amateur-based West Coast Classic.
In October 2020, Basketball Western Australia and the National Basketball League (NBL) announced a new partnership to bring NBL1 to Western Australia in 2021, with NBL1 replacing the SBL. The SBL was officially renamed NBL1 West and became the west conference of NBL1.
In 2024, an NBL1 West record grand final crowd – also a national record – of 6,460 attended RAC Arena. The 2024 men's grand final set a national viewership record of 333,865 minutes watched. In 2025, the NBL1 West led all NBL1 conferences in streaming numbers, with the men's grand final being the most-viewed NBL1 match in 2025.
In March 2026, it was announced that a Geraldton Buccaneers women's team would enter the 2027 NBL1 West season.
Current clubs
Team Location Arena Debut season Women's Men's Cockburn Cougars Hamilton Hill, City of Cockburn Wally Hagan Stadium 1989 1989 East Perth Eagles Morley, City of Bayswater Morley Sport and Recreation Centre 1989 1989 Geraldton Buccaneers Geraldton Activewest Stadium 2005 2027 1989 Goldfields Giants Kalgoorlie Goldfields Basketball Stadium 2022 1990 Joondalup Wolves Joondalup, City of Joondalup Arena Joondalup 1989 1989 Kalamunda Eastern Suns Lesmurdie, City of Kalamunda Ray Owen Sports Centre 2008 2008 Lakeside Lightning North Lake, City of Cockburn Lakeside Recreation Centre 2001 2000 Mandurah Magic Mandurah Mandurah Aquatic & Recreation Centre 1996 1990 Perry Lakes Hawks Floreat, Town of Cambridge Bendat Basketball Centre 1989 1989 Perth Redbacks Belmont, City of Belmont Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre 1989 1989 Rockingham Flames Rockingham, City of Rockingham Mike Barnett Sports Complex 1992 1994 South West Slammers Bunbury Eaton Recreation Centre 1992 1989 Warwick Senators Warwick, City of Joondalup Warwick Stadium 1989 1989 Willetton Tigers Willetton, City of Canning Willetton Basketball Stadium 1989 1989 Known as Wanneroo Wolves from 1989 to 2013. Known as Kanyana Kings from 1990 to 1993, and Mandurah Kings from 1994 to 1995. Known as Souwest Slammers from 1989 to 1994, Bunbury City Slammers from 1995 to 2004, and Bunbury Slammers from 2005 to 2008. Known as Stirling Senators from 1989 to 2018 Folded in 2008
Former clubs Team Location Arena Seasons Rainbow Coast Raiders Albany Albany Sports Centre Men: 1989–1999Women: 1992–1994 Swan City Mustangs Midvale, City of Swan Swan Park Leisure Centre 1989–1996; 1999–2003 WAIS Warriors Mount Claremont, Town of ClaremontCrawley, City of Perth SuperdromeUniversity of Western Australia Men: 1989–1991 Known as Albany Raiders from 1996-1997, and Great Southern Raiders in 1998.
League championships
The Willetton Tigers have won the most championships in the women's competition with 9 Grand Final wins, while the Perry Lakes Hawks have won the most championships in the men's competition with 7 Grand Final wins. The Hawks women have also amassed seven titles, making Perry Lakes the most successful club in league history with a total of 14 championships.
Women Men Teams Year(s) won Teams Year(s) wonWilletton Tigers91997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2021Perry Lakes Hawks71994, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2018, 2021Perry Lakes Hawks71998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2017Perth Redbacks41989, 1990, 1997, 2017Joondalup Wolves41990, 1992, 1995, 2013South West Slammers41995, 1996, 1998, 1999Rockingham Flames42014, 2015, 2019, 2024Geraldton Buccaneers42000, 2019, 2023, 2025Swan City Mustangs†31991, 1993, 1996Lakeside Lightning42005, 2006, 2009, 2013Warwick Senators31994, 2022, 2026Cockburn Cougars31992, 2012, 2016Perth Redbacks21989, 2000Joondalup Wolves31993, 2011, 2015Lakeside Lightning22006, 2018Goldfields Giants22007, 2008Cockburn Cougars22023, 2025Rockingham Flames22022, 2026South West Slammers12012Swan City Mustangs†11991 Willetton Tigers12010 East Perth Eagles12014 Mandurah Magic12024† indicates club is not a current member of NBL1 West
See also List of NBL1 West awards List of NBL1 West champions
References
External links
Old SBL website Club website links (2002) "Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena makes NBL1 West the priority for players and coaches in off-season" at thewest.com.au "Karratha hopes to become NBL1 West's most remote basketball club" at abc.net.au