New era begins: Buccaneers women locked in for 2027

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One of the most successful programs in the NBL1 is expanding after it was confirmed the Geraldton Buccaneers would field a women's team in the NBL1 West next season.

Basketball WA, Geraldton Amateur Basketball Association and the NBL1 announced the news today after the association, which sits almost 400km away from the nearest NBL1 West club, committed in principle in March this year.

The move allows women across the mid-west to compete in the country's elite second-tier basketball competition.

Geraldton have been one of the best men's teams across NBL1 in Australia since the introduction of the league, winning two championships in 2023 and 2025 as well as finishing as runners-up in both 2022 and 2026.

“The introduction of a Geraldton women’s team is an important development for the region and for the NBL1 network more broadly," NBL1 general manager, Tyrone Thwaites, told basketball.com.au.

"Basketball WA deserve enormous credit for driving this process and working closely with the Geraldton Buccaneers to make it possible."

Basketball WA chief executive officer, Fabian Ross, praised Geraldton Basketball for their work in making the women's team happen.

“GABA has done the work. They built the case and they brought their community with them, and Basketball WA is proud to confirm the Buccaneers women will take the court in NBL1 West in 2027," he said in a media release.

“For young women in Geraldton, the pathway now runs all the way through. Domestic basketball, state championships, high performance and NBL1, in the town they grew up in with their families in the stands.”

Geraldton Basketball president, Peter Brown, said the decision would be felt across the Association.

“This has been years in the making for our members and volunteers. A women’s team in NBL1 West means the girls coming through now have something to aim at without leaving Geraldton, and that matters to this whole association,” Brown said in the media release.

Thwaites told basketball.com.au the growth of the NBL1, most recently with a women's team in Geraldton, allowed players to pursue an elite basketball pathway while representing their own community.

“It is essential that women and girls in communities with an NBL1 program can see and access the same high-quality opportunity. A Geraldton women’s team will provide a pathway for local athletes, create visible role models for younger players and allow the entire community to connect with the Buccaneers’ NBL1 program," he said.

“Since beginning in 2019, NBL1 has grown into one of Australia’s most geographically well-represented sporting competitions. That national reach and connection is one of the league’s greatest strengths, but it is made possible by the work of our state partners, clubs and communities on the ground.

“Every new team strengthens the depth and reach of NBL1, but growth is about more than adding teams. It is about building strong and sustainable programs, continuing to raise the standard of the competition and creating meaningful opportunities for players, coaches and officials across Australia.”

After committing in principle in March, the Buccaneers since appointed an interim coach, have run trials and assembled an interim squad ahead of their debut season in 2027.

The City of Greater Geraldton committed up to $446,000 towards the works, as part of a broader upgrade at Activewest Stadium.