NBL1
NBL1 is a semi-professional basketball league in Australia, comprising South, North and Central Conferences with both men's and women's competitions. Each conference is run by their respective state governing body, with the league including 42 clubs from Victoria (14), Queensland (13), South Australia (11), Tasmania (3) and New South Wales (1).[1][2][3] The league replaced the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL), Australia's pre-eminent semi-professional basketball league between 1981 and 2018. Following the NBL1's inaugural season in 2019, the 2020 season saw the 2019 teams comprise the new South Conference and the former Queensland Basketball League (QBL) and Premier League (South Australia) become the new North and Central Conferences.
Current season, competition or edition: | |
Sport | Basketball |
---|---|
Founded | 2019 |
Inaugural season | 2019 |
No. of teams | 18 (South Conference) 13 (North Conference) 10 (Central Conference) |
Country | Australia |
Continent | FIBA Oceania (Oceania) |
Most recent champion(s) | M: Nunawading Spectres (1st title) W: Kilsyth Cobras (1st title) |
Most titles | M: Nunawading Spectres (1 title) W: Kilsyth Cobras (1 title) |
Related competitions | NBL |
Official website | NBL1.com.au |
History
The building blocks
In October 2018, following the demise of the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL), Basketball Victoria announced a new senior elite league to take the reins as Australia's pre-eminent semi-professional basketball league. All Victorian-based SEABL teams joined the new league, while Eltham Wildcats, Knox Raiders, Ringwood Hawks and Waverley Falcons also joined the league from the Big V State Championship Division.[4] The North-West Tasmania Thunder men and Launceston Tornadoes women also kept their place, as did Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence teams.[4] In February 2019, the league was named NBL1.[2]
Expansion
After a successful first season, the league announced in October 2019 that it would be expanding into Queensland for the 2020 season.[5] In January 2020, NBL1 expanded with the establishment of North and South conferences for the 2020 season. After a landmark agreement with Basketball Queensland, NBL1 North replaced the Queensland Basketball League (QBL). As a result, the 2019 NBL1 teams formed the new south conference.[6] The following month, NBL1 expanded into South Australia after an identical agreement with Basketball South Australia for NBL1 Central to replace the Premier League.[7] However, the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2020 season to be cancelled.[8]
Conferences
South Conference
Founded in 2019, the South Conference was the only conference in NBL1 during its inaugural season and predominately consisted of teams from the defunct South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL). The South Conference currently has 18 teams spread across Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and South Australia.
North Conference
In 2020, the North Conference joined the league, becoming the second conference introduced following NBL1's merger with the former Queensland Basketball League (QBL). The North Conference currently consists of 13 teams, all of which are based in Queensland.
Central Conference
In 2020, the Central Conference joined the league, becoming the third conference introduced following NBL1's merger with the former South Australian Premier League. The Central Conference currently consists of 10 teams, all of which are based in South Australia.
Current clubs
Club | City | State | Conference | Arena | Joined NBL1 in | NBL1
Championships |
Most
recent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albury Wodonga Bandits* | Albury | NBL1 South | Lauren Jackson Sports Centre | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
Ballarat Rush* (Women) Ballarat Miners* (Men) |
Ballarat | NBL1 South | MARS Minerdome | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
Bendigo Braves* | Bendigo | NBL1 South | Bendigo Stadium | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
Brisbane Capitals** | Brisbane | NBL1 North | Auchenflower Stadium | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Cairns Dolphins** (Women) Cairns Marlins** (Men) |
Cairns | NBL1 North | Early Settler Stadium | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Central Districts Lions*** | Adelaide | NBL1 Central | STARplex | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Dandenong Rangers* | Melbourne | NBL1 South | Dandenong Stadium | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
Diamond Valley Eagles* | Melbourne | NBL1 South | Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
Eastern Mavericks*** | Mount Barker | NBL1 Central | St Francis de Sales Community Sports Centre | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Eltham Wildcats**** | Melbourne | NBL1 South | Eltham High School | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
Forestville Eagles*** | Adelaide | NBL1 Central | Wayville Sports Centre | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Frankston Blues* | Melbourne | NBL1 South | Frankston Stadium | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
Geelong Supercats* | Geelong | NBL1 South | Geelong Arena | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
Gold Coast Rollers** | Gold Coast | NBL1 North | Carrara Indoor Stadium | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Hobart Chargers | Hobart | NBL1 South | Derwent Entertainment Centre | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Ipswich Force** | Ipswich | NBL1 North | Llewellyn Stadium | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Kilsyth Cobras* | Melbourne | NBL1 South | Kilsyth Sports Centre | 2019 | 1 | 2019 | |
Knox Raiders**** | Melbourne | NBL1 South | State Basketball Centre | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
Launceston Tornadoes* (Women) | Launceston | NBL1 South | Elphin Sports Centre | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
Logan Thunder** | Logan | NBL1 North | Cornubia Park Sports Stadium | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Mackay Meteorettes** (Women) Mackay Meteors** (Men) |
Mackay | NBL1 North | McDonald's Mackay Stadium | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Melbourne Tigers* | Melbourne | NBL1 South | Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
Mount Gambier Pioneers*** | Mount Gambier | NBL1 South | Bern Bruning Stadium | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
North Adelaide Rockets*** | Adelaide | NBL1 Central | The Lights Community and Sports Centre | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
North-West Tasmania Thunder* (Men) | Ulverstone | NBL1 South | Ulverstone Sports and Leisure Centre | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
Norwood Flames*** | Adelaide | NBL1 Central | The ARC | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Nunawading Spectres* | Melbourne | NBL1 South | Nunawading Basketball Centre | 2019 | 1 | 2019 | |
Ringwood Hawks**** | Melbourne | NBL1 South | The Rings | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
Rockhampton Cyclones** (Women) Rockhampton Rockets** (Men) |
Rockhampton | NBL1 North | Adani Arena Rockhampton | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Sandringham Sabres* | Melbourne | NBL1 South | Nunn Media Basketball Centre | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
South Adelaide Panthers*** | Adelaide | NBL1 Central | Marion Basketball Centre | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Southern Districts Spartans** | Brisbane | NBL1 North | Rowland Cowan Stadium | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Southern Tigers*** | Adelaide | NBL1 Central | Morphett Vale Stadium | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
South West Metro Pirates** | Brisbane | NBL1 North | Hibiscus Stadium | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Sturt Sabres*** | Adelaide | NBL1 Central | Springbank Sports Centre | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Sunshine Coast Phoenix** | Sunshine Coast | NBL1 North | Maroochydore Stadium | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Toowoomba Mountaineers** | Toowoomba | NBL1 North | Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Townsville Flames** (Women) Townsville Heat** (Men) |
Townsville | NBL1 North | Townsville StarFM Stadium | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
USC Rip City** | Sunshine Coast | NBL1 North | USC Sports Stadium | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Waverley Falcons**** | Melbourne | NBL1 South | Waverley Basketball Centre | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
West Adelaide Bearcats*** | Adelaide | NBL1 Central | Port Adelaide Recreation Centre | 2020 | 0 | N/A | |
Woodville Warriors*** | Adelaide | NBL1 Central | St Clair Recreation Centre | 2020 | 0 | N/A |
* Teams that transferred from the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL).
** Teams that transferred from the Queensland Basketball League (QBL).
*** Teams that transferred from the Premier League (South Australia).
**** Teams that transferred from the Big V (Victoria).
Former and defunct clubs
Club | City | State | Conference | Arena | Years in NBL1 | NBL1
Championships |
Most
recent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BA Centre of Excellence | Canberra | N/A | Australian Institute of Sport | 2019 | 0 | N/A | |
Hobart Huskies | Hobart | N/A | Derwent Entertainment Centre | 2019 | 0 | N/A |
Honours
List of League Champions
Team | Men's | Women's | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Titles | Winning Seasons | Titles | Winning Seasons | ||
Kilsyth Cobras | 0 | 1 | 2019 | Won the inaugural Women's title in 2019. | |
Nunawading Spectres | 1 | 2019 | 0 | Won the inaugural Men's title in 2019. |
Awards
- Most Valuable Player
- Defensive Player of the Year
- Youth Player of the Year
- All-Star Five
- Coach of the Year
- Referee of the Year
- Club of the Year
References
- "Basketball Victoria partners with NBL to launch NBL1 league". pickandroll.com.au. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- "NBL1 to Showcase Next Level of Australia's Basketball Talent". NBL.com.au. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- "NBL1 To Come To Queensland In 2020 | NBL". nbl.com.au.
- Ward, Roy (31 October 2018). "Basketball Victoria announces new elite league to replace SEABL". SMH.com.au. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
- "NBL1 To Come To Queensland In 2020 | NBL". nbl.com.au.
- "NBL1 Expands To North And South Conferences". NBL1.com.au. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
- "NBL1 Central To Tip Off In 2020". NBL1.com.au. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
- "NBL1 2020 season completely shutdown' leaving Tasmania's three clubs out in the cold". www.themercury.com.au. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.