Basketball

2026

Applications for the 2025/26 intake are now closed.
To be notified when the next intake opens, click here to register your interest.

The NCAS Basketball Program is endorsed and supported by Basketball NSW . This program is designed to assist the individual development of each athlete and provide them with the opportunity to gain further individual skill development and competition opportunities that will assist them in their chances of gaining future state team selection and higher honours.

Up to 40 athletes that show the potential to progress onto state or national level basketball may be selected into the squad. The program will have an emphasis on providing greater skills development, strength and conditioning support and physical preparation to prepare the athletes for their upcoming season and provide a pathway to higher squads.

The Basketball program runs annually from October to April (representative Basketball off season) with regular squad training sessions focused on individual skill development. Team elements are introduced leading into competition opportunities such as Inter-Academy Camp and the annual Your Local Club Academy Games, which conclude the program each year in April.

In addition to on-court training sessions and competition opportunities, athletes receive access to sports science testing, nutrition, and educational seminars to assist with personal development off the basketball court.

NO Late Applications Accepted

The NCAS 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 NCAS 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.

 

Basketball athletes receive the following:

  • On-court training sessions
  • Skill development
  • Strength and Conditioning sessions
  • Athlete education in topics such as nutrition, sports psychology, motivation, leadership and load management
  • Personal development
  • Access to a network of specialised coaches and guests
  • The opportunity to represent NCAS at Your Local Club Academy Games Tournament (Selected Athletes Only)

 

To be eligible for NCAS selection, athlete’s trialing must meet the following criteria:

  1. Must be a current financial registered member of a Basketball Association in the North Coast catchment area (see councils below).
  2. The program is open to male and female basketball players.
  3. Athletes must be born within the years 2011–2013 inclusive.
  4. Must have a willingness to undertake a structured development program and abide by NCAS policies.
  5. Attend the Selection Trial Day ($35 trial fee) – applicants will be invoiced upon close of applications.
  6. Reside in the North Coast Local Government Areas of Tweed, Byron, Lismore, Ballina, Kyogle, Richmond River, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca, Kempsey and Port Macquarie-Hastings.

The NCAS Trials will be held in two rounds. Only successful athletes from Round 1 will progress to Round 2.

Round 1 Dates:

  • Northern Trials – Lismore Basketball Stadium – 28th September

  • Southern Trials – Port Macquarie Basketball Stadium – 12th October

Round 2 Date:

  • Sportz Central, Coffs Harbour – 18th October

 

Trial Fee – $35

Boys Head Coach – Jacob Harkin

Girls Head Coach – Nat Ballard

Boys Assistant Coach – Jason Bashforth

Girls Assistant Coach – Zac Hoade

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