Star Junior signs to the Wildcats

The Eltham Wildcats are pleased to announce the signing of Tess Heal to the NBL1 team for the 2021 season. Despite being aged just 17 and still playing in the VJBL, Tess has built an impressive resume in her teenage years, but this star is ready to launch to another level!

It was in the 2017 U14 national club championships where playing for Bulleen, Tess dominated the court and made everyone stand and take notice, leading her team to the national title, just hours before Eltham’s boys did the same thing! By winning the event, Tess and her team received the news, they’d represent the Asia-Pacific region at the inaugural Jr NBA World Championships at Disneyworld in Florida! She became a highlight in the US media of the event for her ability.

Now playing for Keilor in the VJBL, coached by father Travis; Tess was recently named to her fourth Vic Metro underage team, the U18’s on this occasion. After missing out on the chance to play nationals in 2020, Tess is keen to head to Wyndham and collect another national title. It is also at Keilor where she has also gathered playing experience in the Youth (U23) level. However it is during 2020 where Tess continued to put in work, when others may not have that has set her apart. Soon after, was the opportunity to work alongside WNBL players Anneli Maley, Bec Pizzey and Shelby Britten at Eltham once the stadium doors opened that has her exposed to what’s required at the next level.

With the possibility of Australian junior teams and College opportunities ahead of her, Tess has the basketball world at her feet and the Eltham Wildcats Basketball Club is pleased to play its role in helping facilitate for her. Head Coach Grant Spencer re-enforced this; “Tess is proven to be one of the leading players in the country for her age group, already having personal success on the international level through the Jr NBA program. She has taken to NBL1 practice games well and will prove to be a tough cover for many across the NBL1 competition.”

The Eltham Basketball Club would like to thank and acknowledge the Keilor association of whom Tess is a junior player. Keilor have supported Tess’ desire to play NBL1, which has led to coaches and management all working together in the best interests of Tess. Consistent with juniors from our own junior program, Tess’ priority remains the Keilor junior program and the commitments of the Victoria Metro state team.  

You can see Tess and the Wildcat NBL1 teams in action when they play their season opener this Saturday night at Eltham High School Tickets for opening night against Ringwood Hawks go on sale tomorrow (Thursday 15th April) at 12pm.

Eltham Wildcat NBL1 season memberships are now available via https://elthamwildcats.com.au/nbl1memberships/

Eltham is a Foundation Member of the NBL1, awarded a license in late 2018. NBL1 is the highest level sporting program available in Melbourne’s north-east for men and women. This program helps confirm basketball as the leading sport in the region both at junior and senior levels. With what is now a clearly defined pathway for members to progress from introductory through to the elite; members can pursue their dreams whilst wearing the famous red and black of the Eltham Wildcats Basketball Club.