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Basketball WA is proud to announce that Binar Maali will become the 14th Junior Club in the TCD WABL Championship, commencing from the 2026 season.

This milestone reflects the strong and growing demand for basketball in Western Australia, particularly in Midland which has long been under-serviced for community basketball opportunities. The inclusion of Binar Maali will further strengthen the north-east corridor, supporting the growth of the game alongside existing associations in the region.

The name Maali refers to the Noongar word for Swan, honouring the association’s beginnings in Midland and the City of Swan. While their future home will be a new facility in the heart of Midland, Binar Maali will initially play their WABL games out of Swan Active Beechboro from 2026.

Founded in Midland with just one team, Binar Basketball Club has grown into a thriving association with a strong commitment to Aboriginal engagement and youth development. Their journey highlights the power of community, resilience, and the unifying nature of basketball.

Adam Desmond, Founder of Binar Basketball Association, said the announcement was a proud moment for the organisation.

“It has been a tough but rewarding journey, starting with just one team out of Midland and growing into an association that now proudly provides further opportunity in the north-east corridor,” he said.

“To now be included in the TCD WABL competition from 2026 and beyond is incredibly exciting.

“We are passionate about providing pathways for the youth of our region, while also creating more opportunities to engage Aboriginal youth in basketball and the wider pathways it offers.

“We sincerely thank Basketball WA for their ongoing support in helping us grow the game and bring basketball back to this community.”

Tyrone Thwaites, Acting CEO of Basketball WA, said welcoming Binar Maali into the competition was a significant step for the sport.

“Welcoming Binar Maali to the TCD WABL Championship is a proud moment for Basketball WA and for the entire basketball community in Western Australia,” Mr Thwaites said.

“Their journey from a single team to a thriving association is a testament to the passion and resilience of the north-east corridor.

“We know demand for basketball in this region is huge, and together with our other associations we look forward to creating even more opportunities for youth and strengthening pathways for Aboriginal participation in our sport.”

Kyle Hoath, Board Chair of Basketball WA, said Binar’s inclusion to the TCD WABL Championship also reflects the work undertaken by the Binar team to build a sustainable model ready for WABL.

“Importantly, this moment is the result of years of hard work by Binar to build to this point. They first became an affiliated association and then established their own local domestic competition before being eligible to apply for WABL entry,” Mr Hoath said.

“That process is a credit to the leadership and commitment of Andrew Vlahov, Adam Desmond, Lisa Lilleyman, Boston Fitch and their wider Binar team.”

The TCD WABL Championship is Western Australia’s premier representative junior basketball competition, providing young athletes with the opportunity to test themselves against the state’s best.

With the inclusion of Binar Maali, the competition continues to grow in strength and reach, ensuring more young people have access to high-quality basketball experiences and clear pathways through the sport.

Media Release – Binar-Maali-Announcement.pdf