Emerging star Weir thriving in Senators environment

Image credit: @ChyonKondylasPhotography

Kyana Weir is still 19 but a key Warwick Senators player having already played 79 games with faith shown from Perth Wildcats greats as coaches and superstar teammates as she prepare to face NBL1 West's unbeaten Cockburn Cougars.

Weir made her first NBL1 appearance with the Senators all the way back in 2021 when she was still just a 15 year old and all the way through she has continued to show what an exciting young talent she is.

As a dynamic guard capable of handling the ball and running her team's offence, providing the explosive enough to get to the basket while being a good shooter and tenacious defender, it's easy to see why coach Brad Robbins and his assistant Paul Rogers love her so much.

It's not an easy team at the Senators to get minutes on either considering there's Chloe Forster and Stacey Barr as the starting backcourt and with defensive maestro Emma Gandini on the way, but Weir continues to prove herself a difference maker.

That was on a team that finished second last year and now currently sits second again this season having now won five straight matches ahead of Friday night's match up with the undefeated Cockburn Cougars.

Looking forward to Cougars challenge

The Senators and Cougars were both top four teams last year and now have a combined 12-1 record so far in 2025 coming into Friday night's match up at Warwick Stadium.

It shapes as a chance for a statement for both teams and Weir is looking forward to the opportunity to hand Cockburn a first loss in 2025 and knows the challenge for herself to come up against high-quality guards like Jewel Williams and Steph Gorman.

"Absolutely! They’ve been setting the standard in the season so far but we’re excited for the challenge. We’ve been building momentum ourselves, so it’s a great opportunity to test ourselves and hopefully give them their first loss," Weir said.

"Jewel is so shifty, she definitely keeps you on your toes! You can’t switch off for a second or she’ll blow right by you. And Steph is strong and smart, so it’s a different kind of challenge. I love going up against both of them because it pushes me to be better."

Senators team of 2025

The best part of what the Senators have done so far in 2025 to now be sitting in second spot with a 6-1 record having won five straight matches is that they have done it without being at full strength.

Perth Lynx WNBL forward Kiara Waite has now only been in the line-up for the past two games while three-time championship winning 224-game veteran guard, and perhaps the best defender in the country, Emma Gandini, is yet to play due to her season in the United Kingdom.

However, with Barr and Forster in the back court, Australian basketball legend Nat Burton up front and then with the return of Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard along with the all-round talents of Isabelle Miotti, the Senators have been looking impressive.

"KJ’s already made a big impact in her first couple of games, she gives us great energy and versatility. And with Emma coming soon, she’ll add even more balance and experience. We’re starting to click, and it’s exciting knowing we’ve still got more to give," Weir said.

"It’s unreal playing with those sort of players too. Nat and Stacey bring so much experience and leadership, they’re calm, smart, and always helping us younger players.

"I’ve already learned so much from them. And when Emma gets here, I’ll be soaking up everything I can. She is the best defender in the country, no question, so getting to train and play alongside her is going to be massive for me."