Basketball Western Australia

Basketball Western Australia, or BWA, is the governing body of Basketball in Western Australia, responsible for the development and promotion of the sport at a state and local level.

Basketball Western Australia runs three Leagues; the State Basketball League (SBL), the Women's State Basketball League (WSBL), and the Western Australian Basketball League (WABL). The Western Australian Basketball League is a development league for both players and officials, currently with Age groups: Under 12 Boys/Girls, Under 13 Boys/Girls, Under 14 Boys/Girls, Under 16 Boys/Girls, Under 18 Men/Women, Under 23 Mens, and Division 1 Men/Women.

Throughout the year, BWA holds many Carnivals for players from Under 12 through to Under 19. Through the end of November, and December, the BWA Summer Classic is held. This carnival runs over three weekends, with Under 12 and Under 13 playing the first weekend, Under 14 and Under 15 on the second, and Under 17 and Under 19 on the final weekend. Referees for this competition are selected by their respective clubs to represent their teams on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday afternoon, the Referee Supervisors (usually Officials taking part in the National Referee Development Program (NRDP)) select from all the referees who will officiate the crossovers, and then Finals.

National representative teams

• the Perth Wildcats, Western Australia's National Basketball League Representative, who call Challenge Stadium, near Floreat, Home.

• the Perth Lynx, Western Australia's Women's National Basketball League Representative, who call Perry Lakes Stadium Home.

• the Perth Wheelcats, Western Australia's Mens National Wheelchair Basketball League Representative, who recently won the 2008 Grand Final against the Wollengong Hawks.

Notable figures

• Tully Bevilaqua, an Australian Opals Basketball Player, who also plays for the Indiana Fever in the Women's National Basketball Association in America and the Canberra Capitals in the Women's National Basketball League in Australia.

• Andrew Vlahov, a former Australian Boomers Basketball Player, who reprisented Australia at 4 Olympic Games between 1988 and 2000. Vlahov reprisented the Perth Wildcats from the 1991 season, to the 2001/02, and was the captain of the team for 8 seasons. Vlahov is currently a Part owner of the Wildcats, and is on the NBL Board of Directors.

• Justin Eveson, the current captain of the Australian Rollers. He has played at two olympic games and was named the International Wheelchair Player of 2008.

External links

• Official Basketball Western Australia site