The Just Better Care Wollongong Roller Hawks are preparing to rack up some frequent flyer miles in 2025 following the release of the NWBL draw by Wheelchair Basketball Australia.

The Roller Hawks have road trips to both Darwin and Perth this year after those teams played in Wollongong last season.

The season will once again consist of seven rounds (including a bye) plus Finals, with teams playing three games per weekend for a total of an 18 game regular season.

The Roller Hawks’ campaign tips off on Friday, 27th June with a trek to the insular peninsula to take on the Manly Wheel Eagles. The two sides will play Friday and Saturday before returning to the Illawarra on Sunday to play at Shellharbour City Stadium.

2025 sees the return of Friday night basketball across most NWBL and WNWBL rounds, providing more prime time spectacles and better recovery for players between games.

Round 2 will be the league’s inaugural Indigenous Round with the Roller Hawks travelling to Darwin to take on the Salties in a Grand Final rematch.

The Roller Hawks’ home rounds will have a distinctive Queensland feel, hosting both the Southern Districts Spartans (Round 3) and Southern Districts Titans (Round 5). The Titans’ inclusion in the league comes after the departure of the Adelaide Thunder, ensuring the league remains at 7 teams.

The Roller Hawks have a bye in Round 4, travel to Perth in Round 6 before hosting their final home games in Round 7 against the Red Dust Heelers.

The Finals will be hosted at Manly’s home venue, Northern Beaches Indoor Sports on 29-31 August involving the top 4 teams from each league. There is a three week break between the last regular season rounds and Finals to allow a window for international games.

2025 will see the introduction of the 3x3 Division. Games will be played 1 hour before two of the three 5 on 5 fixtures. The 3x3 division will showcase players who are not starters for their team, providing more opportunities for players to compete and tap into the rapidly growing 3x3 game.

The Wollongong Roller Hawks are continuing their preparations with a final squad to be submitted to WBA by the end of March.