New stadium still bringing in the crowds

The official opening earlier this year of the Goldfields Basketball Association’s new $14.8 million stadium continues to reap major rewards, with more than 1000 players currently making up domestic competition ranks.

Team nominations for the 2025-26 season have been boosted to 129 registered teams — up 20 per cent on last season.

“The first month of the season has been crazy, simply because we’ve essentially got more teams than ever before,” GBA chief operating officer Lennon Smartt said.

“That’s evidenced by the fact we’ve just clocked over 1000 playing members, which may well have happened in the past.

“But in recent times for sure, especially with the decommissioning of the outside courts, it’s been a while since we’ve had 1000 people lining up in our competition.

“Add to that number family, friends and other spectators, and it’s easily over 2500 who are coming through the doors each week, which is really exciting.

“In terms of junior teams for the annual representative championships in Perth, we’re likely taking away more than we ever have before — from under-11 through to under-19 over four weekends, starting in two weeks.

“We’ll take at least 13 teams, maybe 14, so about 120 or 130 players, plus parents, which is double last season and equates to 300 or 400 people from our region making those trips.

“Alongside our social competition, five courts in play, over 50 referees on the pay books and the recruiting involved with our NBL1 teams, it’s been a hectic first month.”