Bulls Senior Rep Program

Welcome to the 2026 Bulls Representative Season!

Bulls Basketball would like to welcome you to the 2026 Representative Season.

This guide will provide you with some information as we embark on the upcoming rep season.

If there are any questions after reading this document, please feel free to contact us on (02) 6189 9143 or admin@bullsbasketball.au.

About the Bulls

Bulls Basketball is more than just a sports club; it’s a community committed to developing young athletes both on and off the court. Our focus is to create an environment where players can grow physically, mentally, and socially, fostering skills that transcend basketball.

We believe in the power of grassroots sports to unite communities and instil essential life values. Through participation in basketball, our players learn resilience, teamwork, respect, and discipline. These experiences help build confidence and character, shaping them into not just better athletes but well-rounded individuals.

Our club’s legacy has evolved over the years. Originally known as “Ryde Bulls”, and now known as “Bulls Basketball” or “Inner West Bulls” we have a long-standing history of excellence in the basketball community.
Recent organisational changes and a new major sponsor have positioned us to expand our reach and impact further, allowing us to uphold our core values while growing stronger as a club.

The Bulls community includes players, coaches, managers, and families who share a common goal: to support each other both on and off the court. Together, we strive to create a positive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

As part of the Bulls family, you’re joining a tradition of commitment and excellence. Let’s work together to make the 2026 season unforgettable!

Season Overview

Training & Game Day Expectations

Training starts in January with two 1.5-hour sessions each week — one session with their own team and another that may be shared with another team. Players must attend all trainings and games, even if injured (unless seriously unwell), and notify the Team Manager if absent.

Parents are expected to ensure punctuality, proper equipment, and support from the sidelines. Please stay positive on game day and let the coaches do the coaching.

Primary Registrations

Players chosen in the Bulls representative program must list their primary BNSW registration with us. If not currently listed with the Bulls, players must change this upon renewal to continue to be eligible.

Please use this link to change primary registration when current registration is about to expire.

Local Competitions

All representative players must compete in our local competition, starting with Summer League 2026 in January.

All players will be sent details to enrol.

Please feel free to email basketball@bullsbasketball.au for any queries regarding our local competition.

Development Players

Development players are invited to train with representative teams, offering them a valuable opportunity to build their skills, gain experience, and immerse themselves in a competitive basketball environment. While these players are not guaranteed playing time, they may be called upon to fill in during league games or tournaments when a rostered player is unavailable due to injury or other commitments.

This role serves as a pathway for players to transition into full representative positions, as they gain exposure to higher levels of training and competition. Development players play a crucial role in maintaining the team’s depth and are encouraged to stay engaged and prepared throughout the season.

Registration Fees

Our representative fees for the 2026 season are as follows:

• Full players: $2,490 – Paid in 3 instalments due as follows:
• Upon acceptance – $830
• Due end of January – $830
• Due end of February – $830
• Development players: $1,860 – Paid in 2 instalments due as follows:
• Upon acceptance – $830
• Due end of January – $1,030

Our fees include the following (cost estimate per player):

1. Entry into the Waratah SL – Squad only ($353)
2. Game Day Admin (Eg Referee and Supervisors) – Squad only ($71)
3. Coach Travel Allowance – Squad only ($179)
4. Court Hire ($1,786)
5. Admin Fee ($120)

The other costs for the season include the following:

1. Uniforms
2. Merchandise
3. Travel and accommodation for tournaments

Uniforms

All players need the representative uniform kit comprising of the following:

1. Reversible singlet
2. Reversible shorts
3. Warm up top
4. Training singlet

There are other pieces of merchandise also available, including hoodies, backpacks, sports bags, towels and socks.All players will be issued with a Bulls water bottle,so there is no need to purchase this, unless you would like more than one.

All other items can be ordered through the online store at innerwestbulls.dkmblue.com.

Player and Family Commitment

At the Bulls, we value commitment, team spirit, respect, and good sportsmanship as core principles of our program.

Participation in our representative basketball program comes with certain responsibilities and expectations, including financial, behavioural, and time commitments, which we kindly ask all players and families to acknowledge and support.

We expect players to make themselves available for all games throughout the season, including tournaments, with particular emphasis on games at the end of the season and during finals. Please ensure you are available to attend every game during the season. Do not accept if you are planning to attend tournaments during the Reps season such as AUSA or the Filipino tours.

If a player will be unavailable for any game, it is essential to notify their coach as early as possible. This is especially important for those considering traveling to the USA for selection tours in July.

Your dedication to these commitments helps ensure the success of both the individual and the team.

Spectator Rules and Responsibilities

Parents and guardians are vital in creating a positive environment. We ask all spectators to model respectful behaviour towards referees, coaches, players, and other families at all times.

Basketball NSW enforces a strict Zero Tolerance Policy — abuse, criticism, or interference will not be accepted. Spectators must remain outside the “Field of Play” (court area) unless invited by an official, and banned items such as vuvuzelas, cowbells, drums, and inflatable noise-makers are not permitted. Referees, many of whom are young and still developing, deserve encouragement and respect.

The More Than a Game initiative reminds us that basketball is about effort, teamwork, and enjoyment, not just winning. Parents also share responsibility for volunteer roles such as score bench duty, and for supporting their child’s commitment to training, games, and team culture.

Youth League/NBL1 Pathway

Players who are eligible for Youth League must play in youth league, unless they have been selected as a roster player for the NBL1 program. All players selected in our YL Division 1 teams will be eligible for selection as development players in our NBL1 program. Development players for NBL1 will only be selected from YL1 (that is, no external players will be DPs).

Social Media & Conduct

Both Basketball NSW and our association maintain a strict social media and conduct policy that applies to all participants, players, parents, coaches and supporters.

Social media could include apps to communicate team or association group chats, channels like Heja, WhatsApp, and communication from the association to teams should be directly to the parents.

Online behaviour is public and permanent, and what is said or shared, whether in frustration or jest, can impact not only individuals but the integrity of the team and the reputation of the association.

As a parent or guardian, you are expected to:

• Model respectful online behaviour by refraining from posting or sharing any negative, critical or inflammatory content relating to games, players, coaches, officials, or other families. This also applies to comments regarding both Basketball NSW and our association.
• Avoid using social media to discuss team selections, game strategy, or grievances. These matters must be handled through the appropriate communication channels.

Monitoring your child’s online presence.

We encourage all parents and guardians to actively monitor their child’s use of social media.

Young athletes are still developing judgment and resilience, and online interactions, whether group chats, comments, or posts, can influence team culture and personal wellbeing.

If you observe any behaviour that causes concern, such as:

• Bullying or exclusion
• Inappropriate language
• Distress caused by posts or messages

…you are urged to address it promptly and sensitively. Concerns should be reported immediately to your team manager or association representative. Please allow a 24–48 hour cooling-off period before raising non-urgent concerns unless it’s to do child protection matter, which needs to be reported straight away.

Injury & Insurance

Basketball carries some risk of injury, but all registered players are covered by Basketball NSW’s personal injury insurance during sanctioned activities such as games, training, and tournaments. Families are encouraged to help reduce risks by ensuring proper warm-ups, cool-downs, and the use of mouthguards. Even with precautions, injuries can occur, and it’s important to follow medical advice and keep team staff informed.

Acknowledgement & Agreement

By accepting a place in the Bulls Representative Program, families acknowledge that they have read and understood the expectations outlined in this handbook. Continued involvement depends on meeting these standards, which include upholding Basketball NSW and Bulls policies, demonstrating respect on and off the court, and fulfilling both player and parent commitments. Your partnership ensures a safe, positive, and successful experience for all.

Waratah League Dates

TBD

Need assistance?

If you require any assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out! You can email us at admin@bullsbasketball.au or approach any of the Association officials — we’re always happy to help.

Additionally, our Bulls families and players are also great resources. Feel free to strike up a conversation with them on the court or sidelines — they’ll be more than happy to share their experiences and insights!

BASKETBALL IS A TEAM SPORT AND IT IS CRUCIAL THAT YOU ARE AVAILABLE ON ALL OF THESE DATES SO AS TO NOT LET YOUR TEAM MATES DOWN.

If you need to be excused from any date, you should speak to your coach.