NBL1 East
Semi-professional basketball league
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 males and females 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.
Current season, competition or edition: 2025 NBL1 season | |
| |
| Formerly | Premier Division 1991–2000 Waratah League 2001–2021 |
|---|---|
| Sport | Basketball |
| Founded | 1991 |
| First season | 1991 |
| No. of teams | M: 16 W: 16 |
| Country | Australia |
| Continent | FIBA Oceania (Oceania) |
| Most recent champions | M: Canberra Gunners (2nd title) W: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (4th title) |
| Most titles | M: Sydney Comets (5 titles) W: Bankstown Bruins (10 titles) |
| Official website | NBL1.com.au/East |
History
In 1991, the New South Wales Premier Division was established.[1] In 2001, the league was rebranded as Waratah League[1] when the league entered the Australian Basketball Association (ABA).[2] The ABA was abandoned following the 2008 season, resulting in the Waratah League becoming an independent league again.[3]
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.[4][5]
Twelve clubs took part in the NBL1 East's inaugural season in 2022.[5] The competition grew to 16 teams in 2023 with the addition of four new clubs.[6]
Current clubs
List of Champions
| Men | Women | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams |  | Year(s) won | Teams | | Year(s) won |
| Sydney Comets | 5 | 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2015 | Bankstown Bruins | 10 | 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2015 |
| Bankstown Bruins | 4 | 1993, 1996, 1997, 2016 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 4 | 1991, 1992, 2017, 2025 |
| Illawarra Hawks | 4 | 1998, 1999, 2001, 2011 | Newcastle Hunters/Falcons | 4 | 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 |
| Sutherland Sharks | 4 | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2023 | Sutherland Sharks | 3 | 1993, 1995, 2021 |
| Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 4 | 2010, 2013, 2020, 2021 | ACT Academy | 3 | 2000, 2001, 2002 |
| Norths Bears | 3 | 2012, 2014, 2017 | Hornsby Spiders | 3 | 2007, 2009, 2014 |
| Parramatta Wildcats | 2 | 1994, 2009 | Norths Bears | 3 | 2018, 2020, 2023 |
| Newcastle Hunters | 2 | 2000, 2018 | Wagga Wolves | 1 | 1994 |
| Canberra Gunners | 2 | 2022, 2025 | Parramatta Wildcats | 1 | 1996 |
| Goulburn Bears | 1 | 1991 | Sydney Comets | 1 | 2008 |
| Sydney Sonics | 1 | 1992 | Canberra Nationals | 1 | 2011 |
| ACT | 1 | 1995 | Illawarra Hawks | 1 | 2013 |
| Central Coast Crusaders | 1 | 2019 | Albury Wodonga Bandits | 1 | 2022 |
| BA Centre of Excellence | 1 | 2021 | |||
| Maitland Mustangs | 1 | 2024 | |||