BASKETBALL
Program trials will be held on 18/19 October 2025
Athlete pathways
The Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) Basketball Program is a program endorsed by Basketball NSW. The program is part of the BNSW athlete pathway and includes athletes in the Developing Athlete Program (DAP) and State Performance Plan (SPP). For further clarity, athletes who are selected to the State Performance Plan (SPP) are eligible for the NIAS program.
The Academy program ‘sits’ between local representative basketball and higher order representation such as NSW State Country Team selection. The program exists to up-skill athletes and assist them in progressing to higher representation in the sport of basketball.
Athlete benefits
NIAS Basketball Athletes will receive the following benefits:
- Regional training sessions | technical and tactical skill development
- Access to RuralFit Training Hubs around the region for strength and conditioning training.
- Access to a network of specialised coaches and guest coaches
- Access to purchase NIAS merchandise pack
- Athlete education in topics such as nutrition, sports psychology, motivation, leadership and load management, drugs in sport, media training, and social media
- Basketball skill development
- Fitness testing
- Functional movement screening
- Personal development
- Playing opportunities to represent NIAS at the
- Inter Academy Camp, 22-23 November 2025 at Breakers Indoor Stadium, Terrigal and at Your Local Club Academy Games in Tamworth in 17-19 April 2026.
Eligibility
The program is open to male and female basketball players who are registered with a Basketball NSW affiliated association. Athletes will be offered a place in the NIAS Basketball Program based on performance at selection trials and through talent identification processes, including attitude and commitment to Basketball.
Male and Female athletes aged 14-15 years in 2025 (born in 2011/2012), who reside in or attend school in the NIAS catchment area and are a registered member of a Basketball NSW affiliated association.
Program Information
Program Personnel
Boys Head Coach – Kane Butler
Girls Head Coach – Brad Ralston
Program Manager – Rosie Stokeld
Trainee Coach – Jessica Murphy
Program Costs
- Program levy includes strength and conditioning, all venue hires, NIAS uniforms, education and training sessions.
- Camp Levy (separate invoice will be sent for the camp in November)
- Your Local Club Academy Games levy (separate invoice will be sent)
SQUAD
To be announced Friday 1 November 2025
Schedule & Flyer
- Sunday 9 November 2025 Induction Day at Lake Keepit – Gunnedah
- NIAS Squad regional training sessions and education program
- Strength & Conditioning program at Rural Fit
- Inter Academy Camp 22-23 November 2025 – Terrigal
- Your Local Club Academy Games, 17-19 April, 2026 – Tamworth.
Scholarship Opportunities
Partners
Past Squad Archives
Girls
Giann Catania
Miley Clark
Eva Flick
Bella McCarthy
Sophie McMullen
Emma Rumble
Katie Sheppard
Georgie Williams
Emily Wood
Development
Scarlett Connor
Ava Harding
Erica Holzigal
Tayla Hubner
Mackenzie Kelly
Jessica Murphy
Sarah Pickens
Bronte Rankmore
Kelsie Simpson
Chloe Smith
Abigail Walker
Sara Belfield
Scarlett Connor
Dakoda Hayden
Darcie Kelly
Mackenzie Kelly
Sophie McMullen
Sarah Pickens
Bronte Rankmore
Chloe Smith
Squad
Anna Barwick
Dakoda Hayden
Mackenzie Kelly
Alexis Lockwood
Jessica Murphy
Emily Peeters
Sarah Pickens
Bronte Rankmore
Chelsea Smith
Molly Stokeld
Abigail Walker
Squad
Lucas Broderick
Ned Hagon
Cooper Holzigal
Reid Humble
Alex Morgan-Giles
Sam Peeters
Lucas Percy
Bayley Ralston
Patrick Roods
Billy Ryan
Zac Whalan
Charlie Whale
Development
William Alexander-Tolhurst
Lachlan Alker
Cooper Hunt
Callum Lockwood
Thomas Mahony
Thomas McMullen
Jacob Parker
Benji Ralston
Max Ryan
Riley Lightfoot
Callum Lockwood
Thomas McMullen
Bayley Ralston
Benji Ralston
Griffin Sanderson
Ryan Shanley
Colby Walker
Rex Watson
Squad
Jackson Brooks
Ryan Johnson
Andrew Kensell
Callum Lockwood
Thomas McHarg
Thomas McMullen
Noah Pay
Benji Ralston
Wallace Robinson
Barry Robinson
Darnell Smith
Heath Watchirs