UTS women’s and men’s basketballers have confidently predicted they will win their respective championships this season, despite both sides being out of action for the past year.
The teams are set to return to the University Basketball League (UBL) next week where they will compete against 13 other Australian universities across a seven-week fixture.
“I think we are poised to win this competition. We have extremely talented and competitive individuals at every position but on top of that, I think we have such a strong sense of camaraderie on the team,” women’s team centre Victoria McCarthy told a press conference on Tuesday.
While men’s squad forward Tasman Parnell added: “We’ve got a really strong team this year. As long as we all buy in and we keep the intensity up at trainings, there’s no reason we can’t win the whole thing.”
It comes after the university did not enter the 2025 season due to funding constraints, despite coming off a successful 2024 campaign that saw the women’s team reach the semi-finals and the men’s side finish as runners up.
However, players and coaches said the hiatus had only fuelled their drive to do better.
“People might doubt us seeing as we’re coming back… but I think that we’re going to be one of the more competitive teams and leave an imprint on the competition,” said McCarthy.
“[We’re] making sure our core values are aligned to put our best foot forward to show the UBL and other universities that we’re back and that we’re not going anywhere,” added Harry Beauchamp, head coach of the women’s team.
Just putting UTS back on the map has been super important. This program is built on being connected and selfless.
The significance of the return is particularly felt by Allegra Caleo, a veteran of the women’s team heading into her final season with UTS after several years developing in the program.
“Especially for me, I’m just looking at how I can leave a lasting imprint and also get it set up so that we can keep getting UBL in the future and we don’t lose it again,” she said.
Caleo is fresh off being named the 2025 UTS Basketball Sports Person of the Year for her “dedication, reliability, and passion” towards the club.
Parnell, also entering his final year, said he feels a similar responsibility.
“The culture has been building for the last five years I’ve been here and being able to continue building that this year to leave for the coming years is something that’s very important to me,” he added.
He added that after losing three out of four UBL grand finals in his time at UTS, he is more driven to finish with a championship.
“Every single time falling short has just lit a fire under me to win this year, especially with this group of guys,” he said.
Pictured: (L-R) James Burrard, Tasman Parnell, and Luke Hutchings at the club’s UBL press conference on Tuesday. Image: Paige Green
The squads bring together a wealth of experience from all over the local Waratah Youth League and NBL1 competitions, meaning much of the pre-season has been spent solidifying a common purpose and identity.
“Just putting UTS back on the map has been super important. This program is built on being connected and selfless,” said Beauchamp
“It’s a massive thing for us knowing that we’re all participating in something that’s greater than ourselves.”
Mens’ player James Burrard added: “It’s been really good connecting with all the boys. I’ve been playing against a lot of these players and it’s been great to come together.”
Given the week off through the bye, UTS will look to closely scout upcoming opponent, Victoria University before next Tuesday’s clash in Melbourne.
“We got pretty lucky having the bye week Round 1 because we wouldn’t have seen this team play before [otherwise]. We’ll definitely be watching,” Beauchamp said.
Main image of (L-R) Victoria McCarthy, Allegra Caleo, coach Harry Beauchamp, and Elle Fletcher of the Women’s squad at Tuesday’s press conference by Paige Green.
