RedCity Roar and Northside Wizards to join NBL1 North competition in 2021

The inaugural NBL1 North season will feature two new teams with one club also pulling out of the competition.

The inaugural NBL1 North season will feature two new teams with the RedCity Roar and Northside Wizards to join the competition.

Basketball Queensland and the NBL are set to announce the news this afternoon with the additions making the NBL1 North a 14-team conference with the Toowoomba Mountaineers not competing in the league.

Basketball Queensland chief operating officer, Joshua Pascoe, said they were delighted to have the Roar and Wizards joining the NBL1 North in 2021.

RedCity Roar star Darryl McDowell-White.

“RedCity and Northside both competed in the 2020 QSL season and made a lasting impression with their professionalism and competitiveness,” he said.

“Both clubs made compelling cases to enter NBL1 North and we couldn’t ignore them.

“We can’t wait for NBL1 North to tip-off in 2021 and for basketball in Queensland to go to the next level.”

RedCity Roar President Jason Fiddes said his club were more than excited to be included in the NBL1 competition.

RedCity Roar GM Peter Pollock with president Jason Fiddes. (AAP Image – Richard Waugh)

“In the last 12 months, our association has come under new management and a process of rebranding and restructuring commenced,” he said.

“This has resulted in significant growth in our membership, the inclusion of more teams into the SQJBC premier league competitions, and a very successful inaugural season in the Queensland State League.

“We have already begun preparations for next NBL1 season and can’t wait to bring some of the best basketball in Australia to the bayside suburbs of Brisbane.”

RedCity’s rise to the NBL1 comes after a successful first season in the Queensland top-tier league, where the men’s team reached the QSL grand final and women made the playoffs.

Northside Wizards and Townsville Fire WNBL star Courtney Woods.

Northside Wizards general manager Cathie Roberts said they looked forward to competing in the country’s best winter competition.

“It’s an exciting brand of basketball and we can’t wait to bring it to fans on the Northside,” she said.

“Grassroots basketball is booming and the NBL1 will provide opportunities for local players to progress to elite competitions and beyond.

“Watch this space for player signings in the weeks to come.”

The news adds to an already huge year for the Wizards after the launch of their new state-of-the-art facility at Zillmere and success at the junior level, which included an under-16 state championship.

More information on the structure of the 2021 NBL1 season will be announced soon.