Australia’s next generation of elite basketball talent will converge on Ballarat this summer as the Foot Locker U20 and Ivor Burge National Championships tip off at Selkirk Stadium from January 27 - February 1.
Across seven days, the nation’s best young athletes and VIRTUS-classified representatives will compete for national honours, with teams from seven Australian states and territories plus the return of New Zealand in the Ivor Burge Men’s competition.
Monday 26th Jan: Media & Training Day (U20 Teams Only)
Tuesday 27th Jan: Pool Games (U20) / Media Day & Training (Ivor Burge)
Wednesday 28th Jan: Pool Games
Thursday 29th Jan: Pool Games
Friday 30th Jan: Quarter Finals & Classifications
Saturday 31st Jan: Semi Finals and Classifications
Sunday 1st Feb: Grand Final Day, Play Offs & Closing Ceremony
Fixture
View Fixtures here.
Tickets
Purchase Tickets via INTIX here.
Livestream
For fans unable to attend in person, KommunityTV will stream the tournament live here.
Under 20 National Championships
History
Running annually since 1974 (Men) and 1981 (Women), the U20 National Championships remain one of Australia’s most important talent identifying events.
Alumni include Patrick Mills, Matthew Dellavedova, Lauren Jackson and Erin Phillips, reinforcing the tournament's role as a gateway to the international stage.
Recent Winners
Victoria enters the championships as the reigning Under 20 powerhouse, having claimed both the Jack Terrill Trophy (men) and Arthur McRobbie Trophy (women) in 2025.
Over the past five years the Under 20 Men’s title has been shared between Victoria (2025, 2024), Queensland (2022, 2021) and Western Australia (2023).
Meanwhile, the Under 20 Women’s title has seen Victoria claim the trophy on three of the past five occasions (2025, 2024, 2022) whilst New South Wales have had their share of success with titles in 2023 and 2021.
Tally of Championships
|
|
Jack Terrill Trophy (Men) |
Arthur McRobbie Trophy (Women) |
Total |
|
Victoria |
32 |
26 |
58 |
|
South Australia |
6 |
6 |
12 |
|
New South Wales |
6 |
5 |
11 |
|
Queensland |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|
Western Australia |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
ACT |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Players to watch
20 Men’s Division
Australian Capital Territory
Ajak Nyuon (CoE)
Returning after leading ACT in 2025, Nyuon's international experience positions ACT to be more competitive than ever.
New South Wales
Flynn Pavely (CoE)
One of the tournament’s headline talents, Pavely leads a deep NSW squad with fellow CoE teammate Bailey Hanson.
Queensland
Harry Cook (CoE)
The 6 '10 big impressed on the international stage and shapes as a key piece in Queensland's finals hopes.
South Australia
Alexander Dickeson
Backed by a green and gold heavy roster, Dickeson anchors a South Australian side built for a deep run.
Tasmania
Logan Gibson
Returning for a second season at the Foot Locker U20 Nationals, Gibson gives Tasmania a focal point against the nation’s best.
Victoria
Jai Fa’ale (CoE)
After making a statement on the international level, Fa’ale headlines the Vics squad, pairing with South-East Melbourne Phoenix rookie Austin Foxwell.
Victoria Navy
Phillip Wickham
Fresh off a standout Oceania Cup campaign representing New Zealand, Wickham provides a championship pedigree having played against many of the tournament’s best in the U17 Oceania Cup.
Western Australia
Jongkuch Mach (CoE)
Perhaps the most exciting prospect to watch across the tournament is 7’6 Jongkuch Mach, with his presence giving WA a unique edge in Ballarat.
U20 Women’s Division
Players to watch
Australian Capital Territory
Zara Funnell (CoE)
Leads a quietly improving ACT side with co-stars Ava Tawake and Achol Agok.
New South Wales
Rebecca Donnelly
Adds fire power to an already proven NSW team, joining the proven duo of Ruby Perkins and Jessie-May Hall that featured in 2025.
Queensland
Prasayus Notoa
A proven performer on the world stage, Notoa headlines a Queensland squad once again shaping as a title threat with other notable teammates Cheyenne Bobognie and Taryn Bond.
South Australia
Sienna Lehmann
Returns after a prolific 2025 campaign as South Australia chase a breakthrough finals run.
Tasmania
Andie Smith
Brings international experience and scorching touch to a Tasmanian team aiming to challenge the tournament.
Victoria
Sophie Taylor (CoE)
Taylor adds punch to the Vics with plenty of potential, joining WNBL listed prospects, Tayli Dimarco (Geelong Venom) and Isobelle Wightman (Southside Flyers).
Victoria Navy
Zara Sestan
Sestan is one of the top prospects in Victoria, with an opportunity to lead from the front for Victoria Navy.
Western Australia
Reece Anticevic (CoE)
The standout star for her team, Anticevic is aiming to catapult WA to record their first championship.
Ivor Burge
History
The Ivor Burge National Championships serves as a way to provide athletes with an intellectual disability (meeting the VIRTUS classification requirements) the opportunity to represent their state at the most competitive level.
Since 1995 the tournament has run every year, with five states lifting either a Men’s or Women’s Championship across the 31-year history.
The tournament commemorates Basketball Australia Hall of Famer Ivor Burge. Being one of the founding fathers of basketball in Australia, Burge grew the game from 1928 through to 1954.
Recent Winners
Since 2019 the men’s championship has been fought between two teams, with South Australia claiming a four-peat from 2019-2023 before being dislodged as the team to beat by Victoria who are vying for a four-peat of their own heading into the 2026 Championships.
Tally of Championships
|
|
Men’s Champions |
Women's Champions |
Total |
|
Victoria |
20 |
21 |
41 |
|
New South Wales |
5 |
7 |
12 |
|
South Australia |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Queensland |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Tasmania |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Players to watch
Ivor Burge Men’s Division
New South Wales
Darcy Rollins
A reliable presence for NSW, Rollins brings experience and composure as the side looks to push back into contention.
Queensland
Jeremiah Rickard
A proven international performer, Rickard leads Queensland with confidence and scoring power on the national stage.
South Australia
Keenan Georg-Dent
One of the competition’s most accomplished players, Keenan Georg-Dent anchors a South Australian team built on cohesion.
Tasmania
Brayden Cowell
Tasmania’s standout, Cowell brings elite international pedigree and leadership to a competitive island squad.
Victoria
Jake De La Motte
As the Vics aim for a golden four-peat, De La Motte is set to lead the star-studded squad once again, with championship pedigree at every position.
Western Australia
Alexander York
Standing at 202cm, York provides size and versatility as WA aim to challenge the established powers.
New Zealand
Todd Maitland
A steady and experienced contributor, Maitland headlines the returning New Zealand side adding international flavour to the tournament.
Ivor Burge Women’s Division
Australian Capital Territory
Jasmin Funnell
A proven world champion, Funnell leads a strong ACT lineup with experience and championship pedigree.
New South Wales
Brittany Anderson
One of the best players in the world at VIRTUS level, Anderson headlines NSW with proven leadership and scoring following a sensational personal tournament last year.
Queensland
Zoe Gauld
An experienced campaigner, Gauld provides stability and leadership as Queensland strive to make a difference in Ballarat.
South Australia
Jayne Brownlee
A reliable and battle tested contributor, Brownlee will serve as the leader for South Australia with international experience.
Victoria
Montana Haag
An elite competitor, Haag enters the Ivor Burge tournament as a major threat leading Victoria. Haag excelled in 2025 as one of the competitions most consistent performers.
Western Australia
Natasha Herbert
A steady presence for WA, Herbert plays a key role in building momentum for a growing WA Ivor Burge program.
