Senior Representative Programs
NBL1 is a semi-professional basketball league in Australia, featuring men’s and women’s competitions across the South, North, Central, West, and East Conferences. Each conference is managed by its respective state governing body, with the league comprising 72 clubs from across every state and territory. NBL1 replaced the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL), which operated as Australia’s leading semi-professional basketball competition from 1981 to 2018.
In the ACT, the NBL1 East program provides a high-performance pathway for local players through the Canberra Gunners (men) and Canberra Nationals (women). The inaugural NBL1 East season was held in 2022, and both Canberra teams made impressive runs to the finals in that first season, with the Canberra Gunners coming home as NBL1 East champions.
Canberra Gunners:
The Canberra Gunners continue to cement themselves as one of the premier men’s programs in NBL1 East, riding a wave of success built on local talent, stability, and a strong development culture. Their recent achievements including the 2025 NBL1 East Championship and the NBL1 National Championship on home soil, highlight a program that has combined experience, youth, and exceptional coaching to produce elite results. With standout performances from players like Glenn Morison, Derek Emelifeonwu, and Will Mayfield, and the leadership of Coach Peter Herak, the Gunners have shown the power of long-term investment in ACT athletes. Their success not only brings pride to the Canberra basketball community but also reinforces the city’s reputation as a genuine high-performance hub.
Canberra Nationals:
The Canberra Nationals continue to grow as a competitive force in the NBL1 East women’s competition, building a program centred on development, grit, and strong local representation. With rising performers like Carlie McAlister and Abby Solway delivering big moments, the Nationals have shown they can match it with some of the league’s strongest side. While still pushing for deeper finals runs, the Nationals’ progress reflects a program on the rise, fuelled by emerging talent and increasing depth. Their trajectory strengthens the female pathway in the ACT and reinforces the Nationals as a key part of Canberra’s high-performance basketball future.
Open trials to join the Canberra Gunners & Nationals are currently complete. If you wish to be considered for either team, please contact – Performance Pathways & Coaching Manager: Leonard King
