Excuse my ignorance but would NBL1 East (if it happens) take over the Waratah League?

In essence, yes. Waratah may continue as the next level state comp a la QSL in the North, Big V in the South, etc.

are we looking at a scenario where it won't ever form due to lack of funding & fees, is there a chance bnsw will bring down the costs with pressure from nbl

I don't understand why teams are unable to get stronger sponsors, the fees to register and play are extreme especially seeing this is the 2nd level of basketball in the state

for the finals in nsw they should get venues similar to state basketball center in size wise instead of picking a random club each year

If we look at wealthier clubs which might be able to pay the large fees could see a mini version of the league like this:

- Maitland
- Newcastle
- Norths
- Central Coast
- CoE
- Canberra

Generally these teams are the ones that get imports have decent amount of sponsors so could see this an initial start who knows

I've always wondered why the state with the biggest population, including the country's largest city, and including a large number of regional cities with 30,000+ people, would struggle to run a 'state' competition at the same level and same enthusiasm that you see with the QBL, WASBL, SA Premier League etc etc.

And moving towards NBL1, why there appears to be a general lack of willingness or commitment to better the NSW 2nd-tier basketball situation like all other states have done.

Why is there this apathy towards basketball in NSW (and Sydney) that we don't see anywhere else. Is it a rugby thing where rugby is so ingrained at grassroots, suburban and regional level, leading to basketball taking a significant back seat that you don't see in the other states ???

I'm not from NSW so I don't know the answers, but from an outsider looking in, it's a very strange situation.

It is just poorly run, NSW doesn't have to join NBL1 but at least improve the product look, Big V is nice example, there is no promotion of the new season coming up, no news on signings, new editions, the website is terrible and very uninformative

I believe its one of those they receive a lot of money for fees but don't want to look at putting money back into it

I believe their also name recognition issue, majority of clubs still call Waratah League - ABA for the championship level teams, where ABA was essentially the old NBL1 for all states.

Does other states have this same attitude where an NBL1 team would refer to the league as BIG V etc etc

Does anyone know if there is a possibility of NBL1 East happening this year or at all ?

NBL1's transformation into a truly national competition will be complete in 2022 with the launch of NBL1 East.


The Waratah League will be replaced by NBL1 East in 2022 after an agreement was struck between Basketball New South Wales and the National Basketball League (NBL).


NBL1 East will join NBL1 South (Victoria, Tasmania), NBL1 North (Queensland), NBL1 Central (South Australia) and NBL1 West (Western Australia) in 2022 as NBL1 expands its footprint across Australia.


NBL1 Chief Commercial Officer Brad Joyner said: "This is an exciting announcement for NBL1 and Australian basketball.


“When we developed the NBL1 concept, the vision was for a national league with five conferences across Australia. In 2022 we will accomplish this goal with the establishment of NBL1 East.


“We thank Basketball New South Wales for their hard work and support in creating this partnership which will take basketball to the next level in the state.


“Women and men in New South Wales can now be part of NBL1 and enjoy the profile and status they deserve with all games to be live streamed and promoted across NBL1’s digital channels."


Basketball New South Wales CEO Maria Nordstrom said: “We are thrilled to be able to join NBL1 and be a part of Australia’s premier winter national basketball league.


“The move to NBL1 East is an exciting one for basketball in our state as it will help attract higher quality players to New South Wales while also showcasing the current talent we have playing in our leagues.


“Basketball in New South Wales has never been stronger and the establishment of NBL1 East will only see the sport go from strength to strength.”


Competing teams in NBL1 East will be announced at a later date.


The 2021 NBL1 season tips off on April 10 with five games to be played in NBL1 Central. Click here to see full 2021 NBL1 season schedules.