The 2025 senior spring basketball season came to a close two weeks ago with an exciting grand final series that featured both a nail-biter and a major upset.

Participation numbers across Kiama Basketball were strong throughout 2025, with both junior and senior competitions filled to capacity. 

The senior competition featured five women’s teams and 10 men’s teams, highlighting the continued growth of the sport locally.

The women’s grand final saw Autumn Competition champions Timms Roofing face competition newcomers The Dolphins.

“After a slow-scoring first half, both teams came out firing in the second half, and the scores were within two points with three minutes to go,” said South Coast Leisure Basketball Association secretary Michael Bailey.

“Timms Roofing held on to take the win and become back-to-back champions, claiming both the Autumn and Spring Competition titles in 2025.”

In the men’s grand final, undefeated minor premiers The Brakers faced first-time grand finalists Surf Camp Spurs.

“An epic tussle ensued, with the teams trading baskets for the entire game. The contest came down to the wire, with Surf Camp Spurs getting over the line in an upset win,” Bailey said.

The loss marked The Brakers’ second grand final defeat of the year, despite remaining undefeated throughout the rest of the competition.

The premiership-winning Surf Camp Spurs Kiama Basketball team. Photo: Kiama Basketball

The thrilling grand finals capped off a highly successful year for Kiama Basketball, particularly at the representative level.

“The Masters Men’s team won the Barrengarry (Southern Region) Men’s Open competition - not bad for an over-35s side competing against much younger opposition,” Bailey said.

“Our juniors were also extremely successful in the Barrengarry competitions, with Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 boys teams, along with the Under 14 girls team, all enjoying strong seasons and bringing home a bag full of medals.

"Our Under 12s were also runners-up at the John Martin NSW Country Tournament.”

Following the Illawarra Hawks’ premiership-winning season, which culminated in early 2025, basketball participation surged across the region, and Kiama Basketball has capitalised on the momentum.

“We have been working hard to develop pathways for progression from junior to senior basketball, and from social player to representative level, while embracing new technology and programs to enhance the overall experience for our participants,” Bailey said.

“The junior and senior committees have worked tirelessly, and our commitment to developing new officials continues through referee development programs and the encouragement of junior referees.”

Bailey said 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger, with expansion planned across all competitions.

“We are looking to expand our girls’ and women’s competitions - girls will play on Monday afternoons and women on Wednesday nights.

"Our inclusion programs will continue to support participants competing in both local and representative competitions,” he said.

“We are also planning to expand the senior competition to accommodate up to three additional teams. Our representative pathways will be further strengthened, with juniors already in training for the rep season starting at the end of January.

"The senior program will also expand to include men’s and women’s open and youth teams.”