NBL1 East, formerly the Waratah League, is a semi-professional basketball league in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, comprising both a men's and women's competition. In 2021, Basketball New South Wales partnered with the National Basketball League (NBL) to bring NBL1 to New South Wales in 2022. NBL1 replaced the former Waratah League to create more professional pathways and opportunities for men and women playing basketball in New South Wales. As a result, the Waratah League became the east conference of NBL1. The league was previously a member of the Australian Basketball Association (ABA) from 2001 to 2008.
History In 1991, the New South Wales Premier Division was established. In 2001, the league was rebranded as Waratah League when it entered the Australian Basketball Association (ABA). The ABA was abandoned following the 2008 season, resulting in the Waratah League becoming an independent league again.
In 2021, Basketball New South Wales and the National Basketball League (NBL) announced a new partnership to bring NBL1 to New South Wales in 2022, with NBL1 replacing the Waratah League. The Waratah League was officially renamed NBL1 East and became the east conference of NBL1.
Twelve clubs took part in the NBL1 East's inaugural season in 2022. The competition grew to 16 teams in 2023 with the addition of four new clubs.
Current clubs ClubCityStateArenaJoined NBL1 EastAlbury Wodonga BanditsAlbury New South WalesLauren Jackson Sports Centre2022BA Centre of ExcellenceCanberra Australian Capital TerritoryAustralian Institute of Sport2023Bankstown BruinsSydney New South WalesBankstown Basketball Stadium2022Canberra Basketball(Gunners Men & Nationals Women)Canberra Australian Capital TerritorySouthern Cross Stadium2022Central Coast CrusadersCentral Coast New South WalesBreakers Indoor Sports Stadium2022Hills HornetsSydney New South WalesHills Sports Stadium2022Hornsby Ku-ring-gai SpidersSydney New South WalesBarker CollegeThornleigh Brickpit Basketball Sports Stadium2023Illawarra HawksWollongong New South WalesSnakepit Stadium2022Inner West BullsSydney New South WalesELS Hall Park2022Maitland MustangsMaitland New South WalesMaitland Federation Centre2022Manly Warringah Sea EaglesSydney New South WalesNorthern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre2022Newcastle FalconsNewcastle New South WalesNewcastle Basketball Stadium2022Norths BearsSydney New South WalesNorth Sydney Indoor Sports Centre2022Sutherland SharksSydney New South WalesSutherland Basketball Stadium2022Sydney CometsSydney New South WalesComets Stadium2023
List of Champions
Men Women Teams Year(s) won Teams Year(s) wonSydney Comets52002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2015Bankstown Bruins111997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2026Bankstown Bruins41993, 1996, 1997, 2016Manly Warringah Sea Eagles41991, 1992, 2017, 2025Illawarra Hawks41998, 1999, 2001, 2011Newcastle Hunters/Falcons42016, 2019, 2021, 2024Sutherland Sharks42006, 2007, 2008, 2023Sutherland Sharks31993, 1995, 2021Manly Warringah Sea Eagles42010, 2013, 2020, 2021ACT Academy32000, 2001, 2002Norths Bears42012, 2014, 2017, 2026Hornsby Spiders32007, 2009, 2014Parramatta Wildcats21994, 2009Norths Bears32018, 2020, 2023Newcastle Hunters22000, 2018Wagga Wolves11994Canberra Gunners22022, 2025Parramatta Wildcats11996Goulburn Bears11991Sydney Comets12008Sydney Sonics11992Canberra Nationals12011ACT11995Illawarra Hawks12013Central Coast Crusaders12019Albury Wodonga Bandits12022BA Centre of Excellence12021 Maitland Mustangs12024
References
External links
"NBL1 East Grand Final on the move to the Central Coast" at nbl1.com.au