6th February, 2026
Kym Cheeseman
Melbourne, Victoria - Basketball Victoria is proud to unveil an exciting new chapter in its performance pathways with the official launch of the Victorian men’s wheelchair basketball team in the National Wheelchair Basketball League (NWBL) in 2026: the Victoria Marvels.
The Victoria Marvels join the successful Victoria Wonders women’s team, which made its debut in 2025 and finished their first season in an impressive fourth place. The strength and impact of the women’s team highlighted the depth of talent within Victoria and made it clear there was a need to provide the same elite pathway opportunities for male athletes.
Basketball Victoria CEO, Nick Honey said the expansion into the men’s league was a natural next step, “Following the impact of the Victoria Wonders in their inaugural season, we knew the time was right to expand into the men’s league. The launch of the Victoria Marvels is an important step in ensuring athletes in our pathway programs can see a clear future in the sport. This team represents opportunity, ambition and the continued growth of wheelchair basketball in Victoria.”
The launch of the Victoria Marvels ensures Victoria’s wheelchair basketball program continues to grow in both scale and ambition, providing a clear and inspiring progression for athletes across the state.
Alongside the team announcement, Basketball Victoria has also revealed the Victoria Marvels team logo. Designed to complement the Victoria Wonders branding, the Victoria Marvels identity mirrors key visual elements to reflect unity across both teams, while maintaining its own bold look that represents the strength, resilience and determination of the men’s squad.
This expansion is a testament to the strength of Victoria’s wheelchair basketball pathway, which continues to develop athletes from grassroots participation through to elite competition. The program’s focus on long-term athlete development, high-performance support and inclusive opportunities is helping build a strong future for the sport.
Diversity and Inclusion Manager Basketball Victoria, Sheena Atkin, has worked tirelessly to help establish both the men’s and women’s teams in the national league and is excited to see the Marvels take the court, “The introduction of the Victoria Marvels strengthens our entire high-performance pathway.
She continues, “We’ve seen firsthand what happens when athletes are given the right environment, support and visibility, and we’re excited to create those same opportunities for our male athletes. The connection between the Wonders and Marvels shows we are building a united, future-focused pathway across both teams.”
With Victoria granted a licence for the men’s team to enter the national league from 2026, the move will elevate the state’s pathway programs while also strengthening competition across the league. It marks an exciting time for wheelchair basketball in Victoria and nationally.
Wheelchair Basketball Australia (WBA) Executive General Manager, John Palmer can’t wait to see the Victoria Marvels enter the league, "It is fantastic to have Basketball Victoria enter a men’s team into the league. They are a powerhouse in Australian basketball, and bringing their professional energy and expertise to the NWBL will immediately lift the standard of the entire competition.”
Anticipation is already building around who will be the first athletes to wear the Marvels jersey, with more announcements to come ahead of the upcoming season.
Watch this space for updates as the Victoria Marvels prepare to take the court.
If you are interested in our wheelchair programs, click here:
To stay up to date the Victoria Marvels and Wonders campaigns in the 2026 National Wheelchair Leagues follow them on Instagram @vicwondersmarvels.
