The Maharlika Bears proudly took to the court at this year's NAIDOC Basketball Tournament, joining teams from across the community in a weekend that celebrated basketball, culture, respect, and togetherness.

Across every age group, our players represented the club with pride, resilience, and outstanding sportsmanship, embracing every challenge and competing with confidence against quality opposition.

Our U12 Boys B, made up predominantly of 9 and 10-year-olds, enjoyed a remarkable tournament run, reaching the Semi Finals before falling to a bigger, older, and stronger team. Their courage, teamwork, and determination were exceptional, and the future is incredibly bright for this talented young group.

The U14 Boys A finished second in their pool, pushing an all-Representative Division 1 side right to the final whistle. Their fearless approach and willingness to compete against one of the tournament's strongest teams reflected the character of this group.

Our U14 Boys B Teal also finished second in their pool, winning three of their four games. As a predominantly bottom-aged team, they demonstrated maturity beyond their years and proved they can compete with anyone.

The U14 Boys B White finished third in their pool, recording two wins from four games. Their selfless ball movement, disciplined execution, and relentless effort showcased the significant growth they have made throughout the season while matching the intensity of many representative programs.

Our U16 Boys B produced another outstanding performance, finishing second in their pool with three wins and one draw, including a draw against the eventual pool winners. They narrowly missed a Semi Final berth on points differential, highlighting just how competitive they were throughout the tournament.

While we're proud of the results, we're even prouder of what they represent.

Many of these players first joined Maharlika Bears with limited game experience and a passion to learn. Through consistent training, commitment, and a team-first culture, they are now confidently competing against representative-level opposition with resilience, discipline, and belief in themselves.

The NAIDOC Tournament was another reminder that success is measured by more than wins and losses. It is about growth, character, respect, and the relationships built along the journey.

Congratulations to all of our players, coaches, volunteers, and families for representing Maharlika Bears with pride throughout the weekend. We also extend our sincere thanks to the tournament organisers and everyone involved in delivering another fantastic NAIDOC Basketball Tournament.

We look forward to continuing our journey together as One Team. One Family.

We couldn’t be prouder of how our U16 and U14 Boys represented us at the 2026 Coastal Classic Tournament. This event continues to be one of the strongest development tournaments on the calendar, and our boys embraced the challenge with maturity well beyond their years.

Across the weekend, both squads competed against a mix of metro and country representative teams and consistently showed what our club values most — effort, resilience, teamwork, and respect for the game. While they may not have worn a rep badge, their approach, intensity, and composure reflected a standard that matches any representative program. They played with pride, backed one another, and refused to take a backward step. 

The Coastal Classic was another important step in the journey for these young athletes and a strong reflection of the direction our club continues to move in. We’re proud of our U16 and U14 boys and excited about what lies ahead as they continue to grow, compete, and represent our club with class.