Diamond League by Prosper Collection offers more than on-court competition, with opportunities for female officials, aspiring sports media talent and young athletes to learn from experienced professionals.
Diamond League by Prosper Collection returns to Norths Basketball in November, bringing together female athletes aged 14-17 for four rounds of competition at North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre.
While the competition provides a platform for emerging players to test themselves on the court, the program also creates opportunities to learn from experienced professionals, develop new skills and explore different pathways within sport.
From a dedicated female-only officiating allocation to athlete education and junior sports commentary, Diamond League aims to make the experience valuable for participants beyond the final scoreboard.
Media Day: Learning from Experienced Professionals
Before the opening round, players, coaches and officials will come together for Media Day on Thursday 12 November, from 4pm to 5pm.
The session will include professional-quality photography by James Logan, providing participants with individual headshots and group photographs they can use across their sporting profiles and future opportunities.
Media Day will also feature presentations from professionals working across athlete performance, nutrition and officiating.
Rachel Doolin, a Strength and Conditioning Specialist at Mentoring the Elite (MTE) in Artarmon, will present to athletes. Rachel holds a Master's degree in Sport and Exercise Science and has experience working with the NRL and WNRL Roosters, as well as the Waratahs' male and female pathways. Her background also includes competing in Olympic weightlifting and elite gymnastics.
Clare Flower, dietitian for the Sydney Kings, Sydney Flames and Wests Tigers, will share her expertise in nutrition and athlete development. Educating participants on the importance of fueling your body, but also getting adequate recovery.
Together, these sessions will give athletes access to experienced professionals working in high-performance sport, with opportunities to build knowledge that can support their ongoing development.
Creating Opportunities for Female Officials
The 2026 Diamond League will feature a female-only officiating allocation, marking a first for Norths Basketball.
Led by referee educators Lilly Hogan and Emmy Prykiel, the initiative creates a dedicated opportunity for female officials to take part in the competition and continue developing their experience on court.
Providing opportunities for officials to participate in a supportive and purposeful environment is an important part of growing the game. The initiative also recognises that basketball depends on more than players alone, with officials playing a vital role in the experience and delivery of every competition.
Through Diamond League, Norths Basketball is continuing to create opportunities for women and girls to contribute to the sport in different capacities.
The entire female referee panel can be found here.
Shooting the Breeze: Developing the Next Generation of Sports Media Talent
For basketball lovers interested in what happens behind the microphone, the Shooting the Breeze Junior Commentator Program offers another pathway to get involved.
Open to participants aged 16 and over, the program gives aspiring sports media talent the opportunity to join Paul and Mary on the Shooting the Breeze podcast, gaining hands-on experience in commentary and interviewing.
The program provides a practical introduction to sports media while helping participants develop communication, storytelling and interview skills.
For young people who love basketball but are interested in exploring opportunities beyond playing, initiatives like this can help build confidence and provide valuable experience in a real sports media environment.
A Broader Experience at The Cave
Diamond League brings together several parts of the basketball community, from emerging athletes and officials to experienced practitioners and aspiring media talent.
The competition format encourages teams to perform consistently across four rounds, with Round MVPs recognised weekly and the Tournament MVP announced following the final round on Thursday 10 December.
Alongside these competitive elements, the program provides opportunities for participants to learn, build connections and gain exposure to different aspects of the sport.
Supported by naming rights partner Prosper Collection, Diamond League reflects a commitment to creating meaningful experiences for female athletes while recognising the many people and pathways that contribute to basketball.
Looking Ahead
Media Day takes place on Thursday 12 November, before Round 1 tips off on Thursday 19 November at North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre, The Cave.
Across four rounds, Diamond League by Prosper Collection will bring together competition, development and opportunities to contribute to the game in new ways.
Follow Norths Basketball’s social media channels for further announcements and updates throughout the 2026 Diamond League season. Everyone’s welcome to come in and catch the action live throughout the tournament!
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