Season’s End. A reflection on the WBA NWBL 2026 season.

Season’s End. A reflection on the WBA NWBL 2026 season.

Tim Rushby-Smith

For the Wollongong Rollerhawks, it is a lament on what could have been. We were unbeaten going into the final weekend of the league ladder, and well in contention for the title.  

With five of our team selected for the Aussie Rollers team, and Hannah Dodd selected for the Gliders, all heading to the World Championships in Ottawa later this month, along with our coach Brett Stibners as Rollers Assistant coach, there was a positive atmosphere at the last training sessions before the finals.

But when we took to the court in Melbourne, things didn’t go according to plan. After a tight first half against Manly, they opened up a commanding lead in the second half, and we lost the game. 

Saturday morning saw the semis and final of the WBA 3x3 competition, an event that strives to give court time to some players who may not get a lot of minutes in the 5 v 5 competition. It was a disappointing result for us again, finishing fourth.

Photo By Geoff Adams

So it was that we came into the preliminary semi-final against Red Dust Heelers: the last chance saloon when it came to making the Gold medal Game on Sunday. 

The game started brightly before Phil Evans went over in a challenge and, as was immediately apparent to everyone, dislocated his shoulder. The injury affected everyone to some degree, and also had an impact on the combinations we could run in terms of points classification. It was a cruel blow, particularly as Phil only joined us this season.

Sadly, the game got away from us again, with a particularly strong showing from Red Dust, and our tilt at the 2026 title was over.

Photo By Geoff Adams

We retained some pride by winning the bronze medal game against the Perth Wheelcats on Sunday, but it wasn’t the weekend we had trained and hoped for.

However, that’s not the full story. 

A special shout out to fellow RGK Ambassador Hannah Dodd for playing in both the Men’s and the Women’s league, meaning she clocked up twice as many games as the rest of us.

Photo By Geoff Adams

Credit to Steven Elliott for playing with a slightly bent chair (no-one punishes a basketball chair quite like Steve) and to RGK for organising him a superfast replacement in time for the World Championships in Ottawa.

Admiration for our wonderful team Manager James ‘Jimmy’ Williams for all of his organisation, and his hugely impressive wheelchair Tetris skills when it comes to packing the van.

Astonishment at the news that Phil Evans may yet be fit for Ottawa. The man is made of girders.

Photo By Geoff Adams

And to the whole team, on and off court, thank you for making training and competition so enjoyable.

The humour, generosity, intensity, focus and drive make it all feel so worth it, win or lose.

Now all eyes will be on the World Championships, and a particularly strong Rollers lineup.

 

Next year?

We regroup,

We rethink,

We train hard,

and we go again…