South Australian basketball has marked a rare and historic milestone at the 2026 Under 16 State Team Singlet Presentation, with the announcement of a brother and sister appointed as captains of their respective state teams in the same age group on Saturday 20 June 2026 at the State Basketball Centre, Wayville.
In a moment that will be remembered long after the upcoming National Championships, siblings Chloe and Liam George were officially recognised as captains of the South Australian Under 16 Metro Girls and Boys teams respectively, the first known instance of a brother and sister simultaneously leading South Australia at the same national championship level.
While the honour is significant, it was the way the pair spoke about one another — and the visible pride that swept through the room among families, teammates and coaches — that defined the moment.
“Pretty special to share this opportunity with Liam. We are both very excited. He’s really hard-working, always looking out for his team, which I think is what makes him such a good captain,” Chloe said.
Liam was equally complimentary of his sister.
“She [Chloe] stays calm, but she’s also very driven. She’s super committed and always gives 100 percent,” he said.
Chloe forms a key part of the U16 Metro Girls leadership group alongside;
Liam George has been named U16 Metro Boys Captain alongside;
The event brought together the full cohort of Under 16 Boys and Girls State Teams, representing both Metro and Country, alongside coaches, team staff, families and supporters, to celebrate the achievement of selection and the responsibility that comes with wearing the South Australian colours.
For every athlete in attendance, receiving their singlet represents the culmination of years of commitment to the game — early mornings, late finishes, club development, and the sacrifices required to reach state level.
For Chloe and Liam George, that responsibility now carries an added layer of history.
Growing up in the same household and progressing through South Australia’s basketball pathways side by side, the pair have shared countless hours in stadiums, on sidelines and in competition. While their journeys have unfolded in separate teams and environments, their connection through the game has remained constant marked by mutual support, competitiveness and shared ambition.
Basketball SA acknowledged all selected athletes at the presentation, emphasising the importance of representing the state with pride and professionalism at the upcoming National Championships in Bendigo from 5 –12 July 2026. It was also overwhelmingly clear the strength of support from the squad development players, who were out in force backing their selected teammates as they received their South Australian singlets.
Basketball SA Performance Pathways Lead Dee Ranford said:
“It’s so important to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our selected State Team athletes. Being able to represent your state on a national stage is an incredible achievement — one they will remember for the rest of their life. What is equally important is acknowledging the development players, who have trained week in, week out alongside those selected, and how important that role is in the South Australian pathway too.“
While the sibling milestone provided a rare historical highlight, the presentation remained firmly focused on the collective achievement of all Under 16 squads.
The Under 16 Metro and Country Boys and Girls teams now turn their attention to the National Championships, where they will compete not only for results, but as representatives of South Australia’s proud basketball pathway system.
Basketball SA would like to congratulate the following athletes for being selected as SA Country Captains:
U16 SA Country Girls Captains:
U16 SA Country Boys Captains:
Following the presentation, athletes took to the court for a series of trial games designed to replicate the National Championships environment, providing an early opportunity for teams to build chemistry and prepare for the challenge ahead.
With the singlets presented and the countdown to nationals underway, South Australia’s Under 16 teams now turn their focus to representing their state with pride on the national stage.
Best of luck to all South Australian teams competing; we’re so proud of you!
If you aren’t able to head to Bendigo to watch the teams live, you can catch their games on the KTV livestream – links will be posted to our socials accounts.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Cindy Halkias
Brand & Communications Manager
Basketball SA
chalkias@basketballsa.com.au
About Basketball SA
Basketball South Australia (Basketball SA) is the peak body responsible for the governance, growth, and strategic direction of basketball across South Australia.
We exist to lead, support, and connect our basketball community, from grassroots to elite, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and thriving environment for all participants. Our role spans across governance, competitions, officiating, coaching, high-performance pathways, education, inclusive pathways, infrastructure advocacy, and community engagement. Basketball SA works collaboratively with associations, clubs, government, schools, and industry partners to deliver programs and services that enable basketball to be accessible and impactful in every corner of our state.
We are committed to driving positive change and upholding the integrity of the sport, guided by our core values: Respect, Accountability, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Excellence.
Basketball SA is pleased to announce the appointment of Ben MacCormack as its new Chief Executive Officer.
MacCormack brings more than 20 years of experience across the sporting industry, most recently serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Districts Cricket Association and the Northern Brave in New Zealand for the past seven and a half years. During his tenure, he led a significant transformation of the association’s governance, strategy and operations. Prior to this role, MacCormack held senior positions with Cricket ACT and Cricket NSW and was previously Chief Executive Officer of AFL Europe.
James Kitching, Chair of Basketball SA, said MacCormack emerged as the standout candidate following a comprehensive international recruitment process.
“Basketball in South Australia is experiencing significant growth and momentum, and we are confident Ben has the capability and vision to lead the organisation through its next chapter,” Kitching said.
“Ben will play a key role in delivering the next phase of our One Team, One Goal 2025–28 Strategic Plan and implementing the outcomes of the independent review of basketball in South Australia, which is due to be received in the coming months.
MacCormack said he was excited to join Basketball SA at an important time for the sport.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Basketball SA at such an exciting time for basketball in South Australia, with genuine momentum and a drive to keep improving,” MacCormack said.
“I’m energised by the opportunity to work alongside all stakeholders to further elevate the sport in South Australia. The Basketball SA Commission have a strong strategic vision for the game that excites me and I can’t wait to get started and meet the rest of the team.
“Everything I’ve learned across my career tells me that the best outcomes come when you combine experience with a deep understanding of the people you serve. I look forward to hearing from the basketball community on where we can build on the strong work already underway.”
Kitching also acknowledged outgoing Chief Executive Officer Tim Brenton for his contribution to the organisation over the past three and a half years.
“On behalf of Basketball SA, we again thank Tim for his strategic leadership and public advocacy for the sport.
“We wish Tim every success in his new role with Basketball Australia and look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with him to support the growth of basketball across the state, and country.”
MacCormack will commence in the role on Monday 25th May 2026.
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Media Enquiries:
Cindy Halkias
Brand and Communications Manager
Basketball South Australia
chalkias@basketballsa.com.au
About Basketball SA
Basketball South Australia (Basketball SA) is the peak body responsible for the governance, growth, and strategic direction of basketball across South Australia.
We exist to lead, support, and connect our basketball community, from grassroots to elite, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and thriving environment for all participants. Our role spans across governance, competitions, officiating, coaching, high-performance pathways, education, inclusive pathways, infrastructure advocacy, and community engagement. Basketball SA works collaboratively with associations, clubs, government, schools, and industry partners to deliver programs and services that enable basketball to be accessible and impactful in every corner of our state.
We are committed to driving positive change and upholding the integrity of the sport, guided by our core values: Respect, Accountability, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Excellence.
Basketball South Australia has released a Request for Tender (RFT) seeking an independent organisation review to ensure the governance, organisational structure, competition design, and commercial model of basketball in South Australia remain contemporary, high-performing, and strategically aligned with the long-term needs of the sport.
As the peak body for basketball in South Australia, Basketball SA is responsible for the governance, growth, commercialisation, and strategic direction of the sport across the state. This review will play a vital role in strengthening our ability to lead, support, and connect the basketball community — from grassroots through to elite — ensuring a safe, inclusive, and thriving environment for all participants.
Basketball South Australia Chief Executive Officer, Tim Brenton, explained that “This independent review is an opportunity to reset and realign, in partnership with our members and stakeholders, to ensure our strategic plan advances the best outcomes for basketball in South Australia.”
The successful respondent will be tasked with providing strategic recommendations across four key areas: governance, organisational structure, competition pathways, and commercial sustainability. This process will be informed by consultation with Basketball SA’s Member Associations and other stakeholders, with the goal of driving positive change, enhancing transparency, and supporting the continued growth of basketball across South Australia.
Interested organisations can download the full RFT documentation here and tenders can be submitted to independentreview@basketballsa.com.au.
Basketball South Australia is the peak body responsible for the development and promotion of basketball in our State. Basketball SA remains committed to strong governance, community engagement, and the continued development of basketball at all levels. More information here
Media Contact for More Information:
Cindy Halkias Basketball SA via chalkias@basketballsa.com.au
To Continue to Deliver Goals for Second Largest Team Sport in the Nation
Mile End, SA – Basketball SA is delighted to announce that it has reappointed Tim Brenton as Chief Executive Officer to continue to support the sustainability and growth of a beloved sport in South Australia.
Pictured: Basketball SA CEO Tim Brenton. Photo credit: Sarah Reed
Basketball SA today confirms that it has agreed on a new employment agreement with Tim Brenton, its Chief Executive Officer, which shall commence immediately following the conclusion of his current term. This followed a process conducted by a working group established by the Basketball SA Commission.
Brenton initially joined Basketball SA on 31 October 2022 on a 3-year contract. During that time, he has strengthened relations across all basketball stakeholders, overseen the opening of the State Basketball Centre, driven advocacy initiatives with the State Government, played a pivotal role in saving the Adelaide Lightning, and launched the One Team One Goal 2025-2028 strategic plan.
Basketball SA recorded a significant increase in participants across all organised competitions in 2024, driven by grassroots expansion and inclusive programs like the Female Participation Strategy with over 25 per cent of players now female and over 1.3 million Australians playing across the country in the $400M industry, making it the second-largest team sport by participation in Australia.
Chair of the Basketball South Australia Commission, James Kitching, stated that the Commission was unanimous in reaching the decision to reappoint Brenton, saying:
“Tim has led the hardworking team at Basketball SA to achieve significant progress across several key areas of the business. His strong stakeholder management skills and values-based leadership have been instrumental in achieving that progress and will be imperative as we seek to deliver on the pillars set out in the strategic plan. On behalf of the Basketball SA Commission, I am pleased to confirm that Tim has been reappointed as Chief Executive Officer.”
Chief Executive Officer, Basketball South Australia, Tim Brenton, commented:
“I’m honoured to continue leading Basketball South Australia at such a pivotal time for our sport. Basketball has always been about more than the game itself, it’s about bringing people together, celebrating diversity, and building a thriving community through the sport we love. I look forward to working with our clubs, associations, Commission and partners to strengthen pathways, enhance facilities, and ensure basketball remains a sport for everyone to enjoy in South Australia.”
Basketball South Australia is the peak body responsible for the development and promotion of basketball in our State. Basketball SA remains committed to strong governance, community engagement, and the continued development of basketball at all levels. More information here
Media Contact for More Information:
Cindy Halkias Basketball SA via chalkias@basketballsa.com.au