RECENTLY, the National Basketball League (NBL)1 announced the introduction of a league based on the eastern seaboard, as they expanded their work across Australia. With the Australian basketball system producing more talent than ever, it was a justified move, as the eastern league joins the NBL1 North, NBL1 South, NBL1 Central and NBL1 West as the competitions spread out across Australia.

The league will be made up of 12 teams from the eastern shores of Australia, with many coming from the Waratah 1 competition. The NBL1 has shown this competition allows teams to take their respective games to the next level, and the teams entering NBL1 East will be looking to do the same. In this series, we introduce you to the 12 sides who will be taking the court in the league’s inaugural season in 2022. Next up on the agenda are the Inner West Bulls.

The Inner West Bulls are another side based in the suburbs of Sydney in New South Wales, with the organization based in Ryde. They have been entering junior, senior and representative teams around New South Wales for a number of years.

They have been a part of the Waratah League since 2020, joining a number of other sides from around the state in competing for the premier title in New South Wales.

The men’s side has delivered mixed results throughout its time in the Waratah League, with a lack of opportunity ultimately affecting its success rate. The Bulls’ debut year saw a fifth placed finish, with six wins and three losses from their nine games. Unfortunately, this also meant the Bulls missed out on a finals appearance, based on percentage.

Despite missing out on a postseason appearance, this was a promising first season from the Bulls, who found their talented list and impressive style of play produce wins for majority of the season, and had plenty to build on moving forward.

The side entered the 2021 season full of promise, but unfortunately their form regressed, winning just three of their 10 games which saw them finish in sixth place at the conclusion of the regular season. With the transition into the NBL1 East League offering a fresh start, expect the men’s side to come out firing when the season begins.

The club also entered a women’s side in the Waratah League prior to the commencement of the 2021 season. Unfortunately, the team could not overcome their struggles in their debut season, unable to claim a victory from their nine games. With a season of experience under their belt, the team will look to become one of the league’s biggest improvers in their first season in the NBL1 East, with upwards the only way to go for the squad.

Picture credit: Noel Rowsell