Rockhampton Basketball’s top-tier teams fired up for big seasons in 2024

Rockhampton Basketball’s top junior and senior rep players have been recognised for their outstanding efforts. Check out the full list of award winners here.

Pam McKay

2 min read

January 8, 2024 - 11:32AM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Lara McSpadden, Corben Huff and Andrew Watene were among the Cyclones and Rockets' award winners in 2023.

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The CQUniversity Cyclones will look to go one better in the NBL1 North competition this year, again under coach Drew Fenton.

The women’s basketball team made it to the grand final in 2023, only to be beaten by the Northside Wizards in the best-of-three series.

Fenton, who was named the competition’s Coach of the Year, takes the reins again and is eager to build on last year’s success.

“I am looking forward to working with the girls again and can’t wait to get started,” he said.

Neal Tweedy has been re-appointed head coach of the Schwarz Excavations Rockets for what will be his 25th season in the role.

The Rockets will be determined to improve on what was a disappointing 2023 season in which they finished 15th.

CQUniversity Cyclones assistant coach Chris Muggeridge (left) with head coach Drew Fenton.

Fenton will be supported by Chris Muggeridge, with Darren Richardson assisting Tweedy.

Rockhampton Basketball general manager Wade Rebetzke said he was excited for the new season, with recruitment well under way for both the Cyclones and Rockets.

He said the Cyclones’ stellar performance was his personal highlight of 2023.

“To be runners-up in the NBL1 North is a massive achievement and a massive jump on the previous year,” he said.

Long-serving coach Neal Tweedy is back for another year with the Schwarz Excavations Rockets.

“They’re building a really positive culture within the group and their ability to get done what they did last year has given them a taste and they are super keen to go one better this time around.

“On the men’s side, they’re obviously wanting to get back to where they should be, competing in finals this season.”

Rebetzke said the program’s junior teams (under-12 to under-18) were sure to again be competitive, despite them constantly having to punch above their weight.

“It’s a tough gig for us being in Central Queensland, competing against associations four or five times the membership base of ours,” he said.

“We were around the top eight with a lot of our teams, which is a really good result.”

2023 representative award winners

Under-12 Cyclones