Canberra joining the NBL1 banner as Waratah League replaced

NBL1 East will replace the Waratah League, completing a stable boasting North, South, West and Central conferences.

Twelve clubs will compete with Canberra joining Albury-Wodonga, Bankstown, Central Coast Crusaders, Hills Hornets, Illawarra Hawks, Inner West Bulls, Maitland Mustangs, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Newcastle, Norths Bears and Sutherland Sharks.

A move into the NBL1 banner opens the door for Canberra games to be viewed on NBL1 digital platforms or Kayo Freebies, giving players a chance to prove themselves to NBL and WNBL clubs.

Basketball NSW chief executive Maria Nordstrom hopes the conference will continue to grow in the coming years.

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"We have 12 associations who are joining NBL1 East in its inaugural season, which is very pleasing. We are looking forward to working with the associations on taking basketball in NSW to a new level as we launch NBL1 East," Nordstrom said.

"We are hopeful other associations will want to join the league as it grows in the next few years. Our aim is to work with the NBL and the associations to improve the league year on year and believe this will provide another growth platform for basketball in NSW."

NBL1 East replaces the Waratah League, which Canberra teams moved into after the SEABL folded.

"We are excited to have locked in the 12 participating clubs for NBL1 East. These clubs all have a unique history, great stories to tell and an elite level of basketball to display," NBL1 general manager Dean Anglin said.

"We look forward to showcasing that as we live stream all games on either the NBL1 digital platforms or Kayo Freebies."

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