The future of elite women’s basketball in South Australia is secure, with the Malinauskas Labor Government teaming up with the WNBL to secure the future of the Adelaide Lightning.
As one of the most successful teams in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), winning five championships since entering the league in 1993, the Adelaide Lightning has long been a symbol of excellence, resilience, and opportunity for South Australian athletes, coaches, and fans alike. Today’s announcement ensures that the Adelaide Lightning’s legacy and impact will continue to shine brightly, both on and off the court.
In a statement on the matter, Basketball South Australia Chair James Kitching expressed appreciation for the support, saying, ”On behalf of the Basketball South Australia Commission, we welcome and are grateful for the investment made by the Malinauskas government in ensuring that a high-performance pathway into professional women’s basketball will continue to exist in South Australia. We are excited about the plans that the new private ownership of the WNBL has to elevate the sport, and look forward to working with the WNBL, the South Australian government, and South Australian basketball stakeholders to ensure the ongoing success of the Adelaide Lightning”.
CEO of Basketball South Australia, Tim Brenton, added “We are beyond thrilled that the Adelaide Lightning will remain in the WNBL. This outcome ensures South Australians will continue to enjoy and be inspired by elite women’s basketball. This outcome would not have been possible without the leadership and support of the Malinauskas Government, in particular Sports Minister Emily Bourke and ORSR CEO Kylie Taylor, whose willingness to partner with Basketball SA has been instrumental. Their commitment to women’s sport, building sustainable, community-connected high-performance programs, reflects a shared vision for opportunity, participation and excellence across the state”.
This partnership not only safeguards one of the WNBL’s most iconic clubs but also reinforces South Australia’s commitment to growing women’s basketball and inspiring the next generations. The continuation of the Adelaide Lightning means more than games on the calendar, it means preserving a legacy, protecting pathways for female athletes, and maintaining South Australia’s strong presence in national competition.
Basketball South Australia extends its deepest gratitude to all stakeholders, supporters, and partners who rallied to keep the Lightning alive. The future is bright, and the Lightning is ready to shine once again.
Basketball South Australia (Basketball SA) is excited to announce a partnership with PEAQ Conditioning, aimed at further enhancing our Performance Pathways Program. This collaboration combines Basketball SA’s leadership in promoting the sport of basketball with PEAQ’s expertise in integrated health and wellness services.
Through this partnership, Basketball SA and PEAQ Conditioning offers players, coaches, and staff world-class allied health services. PEAQ’s comprehensive approach to health, fitness, and wellness will provide Basketball SA’s community with tailored solutions designed to support athletic performance and overall well-being.
Tim Brenton, CEO of Basketball SA, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, “I’m incredibly excited about our partnership with PEAQ. I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working with Sean Baker previously, and I’ve always admired his attention to detail and his ‘person-first’ philosophy, underpinned by evidence-based approaches to strength and conditioning. Sean and his family represent not just world-class performance but world-class people. Their values align perfectly with ours, and this collaboration will unlock enormous benefits for our athletes, coaches, and programs across South Australia.”
PEAQ’s team of experts will work directly with Basketball SA’s Performance Pathways Leaders to implement a range of services and resources necessary for athletes to reach their full potential on and off the court.
Sean Baker, Founder and Head Coach of PEAQ Conditioning, shared his thoughts on this exciting venture:
“We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Basketball SA. We believe that this collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to provide elite physical performance services at all levels of sport in South Australia. Together, we aim to enhance the longevity and physical output of SA’s next generation of basketball talent.”
Basketball SA and PEAQ Conditioning look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have in creating the next generation of elite basketball players and coaches.
Basketball South Australia is proud to announce the historic milestone of sending its first-ever South Australian wheelchair basketball team to compete in the 2025 Foot Locker Under 18 & Junior Wheelchair National Championships. The event will take place from April 9 to April 13 at the South Pine Sports Complex in Brendale, Queensland.
This prestigious national tournament, formerly known as the Kevin Coombs Cup, brings together the best young wheelchair basketball athletes from across Australia. It provides an opportunity for athletes who meet the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) classification criteria to showcase their skills at the highest junior level.
The inclusion of a South Australian team marks a significant step forward in the state’s commitment to growing and supporting wheelchair basketball. The squad has been training rigorously in preparation for this milestone event, and Basketball South Australia is excited to see them take on the best in the country.
This talented squad features athletes who have previously represented Australia at the junior and senior levels, including Kane Downie, Alexander Blackmore, and Cooper Spillane as part of the Spinners, and Katelin Gunn as part of the Gliders.
Head Coach: David Gould
Team Manager: Lucinda Bueti
Basketball South Australia CEO Tim Brenton expressed enthusiasm about the team’s participation, stating, “I am proud to see South Australia represented at the Australian Junior Championships for wheelchair basketball, the Kevin Coombs Cup. This is a fantastic milestone for our basketball community and a testament to the growth of our sport.” It also aligns with the development of our wheelchair framework. Having Paralympian David Gould coaching the team adds a wealth of experience and inspiration for our young athletes.” Brenton continued, “I look forward to seeing them compete and represent our state with pride.”
The championships will provide a platform for South Australia’s athletes to gain valuable experience, compete at an elite level, and inspire future generations of wheelchair basketball players in the state.
Basketball South Australia encourages the community to get behind the team as they prepare for this exciting journey. Stay tuned for updates on their progress and achievements throughout the tournament.
We are proud to introduce One Team One Goal – Basketball South Australia’s Strategic Plan for 2025 –2028. This plan reflects our shared commitment to growing, developing, and sustaining basketball across the state.
Basketball in South Australia is thriving, and this strategy is our roadmap to ensuring it remains the most inclusive, accessible, and dynamic sport in the country. Through our five strategic pillars, Participate, Develop, Sustainable, Places to Play, and Collaborate, we will enhance opportunities for all involved in the game while strengthening facilities, governance, and commercial foundations.
Success will only be achieved through collaboration, and we invite you to be part of this journey.
Read the full plan here!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
One Team One Goal is Basketball South Australia’s strategic plan for 2025–2028. It outlines our commitment to growing and strengthening basketball across South Australia through five strategic pillars: Participate, Develop, Places to Play, Collaborate, and Sustainable.
The plan provides a clear direction for the sport, ensuring participation growth, stronger development pathways, improved infrastructure, better collaboration, and long-term sustainability.
– Expanding school and grassroots programs.
– Increasing opportunities for female, inclusive, and wheelchair basketball.
– Strengthening regional and community basketball.
– A contemporary coaching framework and enhanced training programs.
– A whole of sport roadmap focusing on recruitment and retainment.
– Investment in leadership opportunities across all levels of basketball.
– Collaborating with local councils, state government and private investment on facility expansion.
– Upgrading existing venues to meet increasing demand.
– Developing a long-term infrastructure strategy.
– Strengthening partnerships with local clubs, associations, and governing bodies.
– Enhancing consultation and feedback opportunities.
– Working closely with government and commercial partners to support basketball development.
– Responsible financial management and diversification of revenue streams.
– Increased investment in commercial opportunities and grants.
– Development of a long-term investment strategy.
– Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are benchmarked and measured across all areas of the plan.
– Regular reporting and evaluation to ensure transparency and accountability.
– Through club and association meetings, forums, and dedicated feedback channels.
– Basketball SA will provide regular updates and opportunities for stakeholder engagement.
– Clear action plans for each strategic pillar.
– Ongoing collaboration with key stakeholders.
– Regular reviews and adjustments to ensure objectives are met.
