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.
