January Development Tournaments

About

The 2026 January Development Tours consist of the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup and the Southern Cross Challenge. These development tournaments sit at the top of what is offered across Australia and provide a fantastic opportunity for our athletes to be exposed to a high quality of play, in an environment that is conducive to development. There is a long list of alumni who have played for Tasmania at these tournaments and have gone on to play professional or international basketball. This list includes, but is not limited to: Tanner Krebs (2010-2012), Ellie Collins (2012-2015), Taylor Mole (2012-14), Sharna Thompson (2013-2015), Jacob Richards (2014-2018), Reyne Smith (2015-2018), Micah Simpson (2017 & 2018), Taran Armstrong (2017 & 2018), Kye Savage (2018-2020), Rubi Gray (2018-2020), Lachlan Brewer (2018-2020), Jacob Furphy (2019, 2020, 2023), Nash Walker (2020) and Lucy Aherne (2020, 2023, 2024).

Basketball Tasmania uses these tournaments to allow players, staff and officials who are involved in our Development Programs to put into practice principles that we cover weekly at FDP & SDP sessions. Please note that the selected teams are development teams, not State Teams. In other words, we want to provide exposure to athletes from across Tasmania and provide them with ample opportunities to develop against quality opposition and through the off-court experience (as opposed to State Teams, where the focus is placed on picking the best possible team and going away to win as many games as possible).

Southern Cross Challenge

For the third consecutive year, we will be sending 2 x U15 Teams (1 Girls and 1 Boys Team) to the Southern Cross Challenge. This tournament is held in Melbourne and features Metro and Country teams from across Australia. Tournament dates are 16-19 January 2026 (please note that the teams will travel 1 day before the tournament and return the night of the last day). Athletes born in 2012 will be considered for the Southern Cross Challenge.

Country Cup

All other age groups (U14s, U16s and U18s) will attend the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup in Albury/Wodonga. Basketball Tasmania has a proud history of attending this tournament, which features teams from across Country Australia and New Zealand. Tournament dates are the 13-17 January 2026 (please note that the teams will travel 2 days before the tournament and return the day after). Athletes born in 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2009 will be considered for the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup. Please note that it is a tournament rule that only Top-Aged U14s (2013) and older are eligible for this tournament. This rule aligns with Basketball Tasmania’s Philosophy around the age in which athletes should participate in interstate competition.

Beginning of U18 State Selection Process

U18 athletes (born 2009 and 2010), please note that this is the first step in the trial process for the U18 State Team, with the next step in the process being the SDP Camp, followed by Tri-Series #1. If you would like to be considered for 2026 State Team then you are expected to attend these trials, even if you do not want to stand for selection for Country Cup. If you would like to be only considered for State selection and not Country Cup selection, then please indicate this in the notes section when registering using the above link.