Basketball Queensland (BQ) is excited to announce the expansion of our Emerging Teams Program, with the introduction of a new Under 14 Emerging age group in 2025.

This addition creates more opportunities for young Queensland athletes to experience high-level development and competition earlier in their basketball journey. The Under 14 Emerging program will sit alongside our existing Under 15 Emerging program as part of the pathway to state representation.

Each year, BQ selects Emerging Teams to represent the state at the Southern Cross Challenge in Melbourne, a high-level invitational tournament featuring teams from across Australia, including Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. The event replicates a National Championship-style environment and offers valuable experience for aspiring representative athletes.

In January 2025, we proudly took six teams to the Southern Cross Challenge. With the introduction of the Under 14 Emerging age group, ten Queensland teams will now compete in the tournament in 2026.

How Selection Works:

• Under 15 Emerging teams are selected based on performances in the Future Development Program (FDP).
  
  
• Under 14 Emerging teams will be selected via open trials, giving all eligible athletes across Queensland the chance to participate.

Under 14 Emerging Eligibility:

To be eligible for the Under 14 Emerging trials, athletes must meet the following criteria:

• Born in 2013, making them bottom-age Under 14s in 2025
  
  
• Must be currently registered as a representative player in a Basketball Queensland affiliated association. Must have played U14 Representative basketball in 2025.

This new program is designed to identify and develop emerging talent earlier, offering more athletes the chance to be part of the high performance environment and prepare for future state team opportunities.

‍Trial Details

Trials for the Under 14 Emerging Program will be held at the following locations:

• South Queensland Athletes - Logan Metro Sports and Events Centre
  
  • Boys Trial: Tuesday, 22 September 2025
  • Girls Trial: Wednesday, 23 September 2025
    
    
• North Queensland Athletes - Townsville Basketball
  
  • Combined Boys & Girls Trial: Saturday, 4 October 2025

Specific trial times will be communicated closer to the dates.

REGISTER HERE

For more information, please contact State Performance Coach James Rapinett at james.rapinett@basketballqld.net.au.