Victoria Announces 2027 Under 20 and Ivor Burge State Team

13th October 2026
Author: Maree DeGeorge 

Melbourne, VICTORIA – Basketball Victoria is proud to announce the athletes selected in its 2027 Under-20 and Ivor Burge teams, with talent from across metropolitan and country Victoria set to represent the state on the national stage. 

Following the trials, six teams have been selected: the Victorian Under-20 Women’s and Men’s teams, Victoria Navy Women’s and Men’s teams, and the Victorian Ivor Burge Women’s and Men’s teams. 

Selection recognises the work athletes have put into their basketball, supported by their families, coaches, clubs and associations. The teams will now turn their attention to preparing for the championships in January. 

Basketball Victoria General Manager Pathways, Dom Linossier, congratulated the selected athletes and acknowledged everyone who took part in the trials. 

“Representing Victoria is something these athletes can be really proud of. Selection reflects the work they’ve put in and the contribution they can make to their team,” Linossier said. 

“Our Under-20 and Ivor Burge programs give athletes the opportunity to challenge themselves against the best in the country, build connections and continue developing their basketball. We’re also pleased to have both Navy teams providing more emerging athletes and coaches with such experience. 

“Thank you to everyone who took part in the trials, and to the families, coaches and associations who continue to support our athletes. We look forward to seeing these teams come together and represent Victoria in January.” 

The Under-20 program supports athletes as they transition from junior to senior basketball. Alongside the Victorian teams, the Victoria Navy teams provide further opportunities for athletes and coaches to gain experience at a National Championship.  

The Ivor Burge Championships are Australia’s national basketball championships for athletes with an intellectual disability, bringing together players from across the country to compete for the Ivor Burge Cup. 

The Australian Under-20 Championships will be held from 24–31 January 2027, with the Ivor Burge Championships taking place from 25–31 January 2027. 

Congratulations to all selected athletes and emergency players. 

-ENDS- 

Meet your 2027 Under 20 and Ivor Burge Athletes: 

Victorian Under-20 Women 

Athlete	Association
Eliza Ashby	Ballarat
Lily Exton	Korumburra / Kilsyth
Marianela Fakalata	Dandenong / Southside Flyers
Mia Harvey	Bendigo / Bendigo Spirit
Addison Knight	Eltham
Daisy Nousis	McKinnon
Sophie Richardson	Eltham
Madison Ryan	Sandringham
Eliza Shanahan	Kilsyth / CoE
Vanessa Tavete	Casey
Matilda Trout	Dandenong
Imogen Trout	Dandenong

Emergency players 

Athlete	Association
Ayisha Balogun	Geelong United / Melbourne
Melinna Kapetanas	Sandringham

Victorian Under-20 Men 

Athlete	Association
Riak Akhuar	Wyndham / CoE
Lucas Byrne	Ballarat
Ryder Cleary	Eltham
Tom Dammers	Nunawading
Jai Fa'ale	Diamond Valley / Melbourne United
Michael Fitton	Sandringham
Will Hamilton	Traralgon / CoE
Liam Keogh	Kilsyth
Bailey Marshall	Frankston
Sonny Maxwell	Keilor
Josh McCann	Eltham
Charlie Wilson	Nunawading

 Emergency players 

Athlete	Association
Keegan Johnson	Geelong United
Jarvis Neal	Knox
Chandler Siegle	Eltham

Victorian Navy Under-20 Women 

Athlete		Association
Maddison Crotty	Broadmeadows
Harriet Drummond	Eltham
Issy Godfrey	Nunawading
Valeria Ljubicic	Melbourne
Tilly McNamara	Broadmeadows
Elise Napier	Echuca / Melbourne
Harmony Parker	Geelong United
Teagan Potter	Nunawading
Tee Puoch	Dandenong
Neve Terpstra	Geelong United
Justine Walker	Eltham

Emergency players 

Athlete	Association
Imogen Eckman	Southern Peninsula
Evie Haywood	McKinnon
Chloe Marais	Melbourne

Victorian Navy Under-20 Men 

Athlete	Association
Kuai Alier	Casey
Charlie Angus	Kilsyth
Logan Hamilton	Knox
Mateo Hanley	Albury-Wodonga
Kaleb Johnson	Sandringham
Devaughn King	Keilor
Aguer Majak	Wyndham
Cooper McCallum	Casey
Spencer Mitchell	Sandringham
Max Pavey	Sandringham
Boris Rosner	Dandenong

Emergency players 

Athlete	Association
Zane Miller	Kilsyth
Thomas Nicholas	Frankston
Nathan Schofield	Melton

Victorian Ivor Burge Women 

Athlete	Association / Program
Alicia Bamblett	Melbourne Stars
Jaime-Lee Getson	Sunbury Superoos
Destiny Grech	FSDS
Rebecca Koch	Keilor
Taila Martin	Echuca / Basketball Victoria
Jessica McCulloch	Chelsea
Evangeline (Evie) Patterson	Power Assist
Rachael Potter	Dandenong All Abilities
Kirby Templeton	Melbourne Uni
Lexi Vitalos	Koonung Comets

Emergency players 

Athlete	Association
Laura Sutherland	Power Assist
Madison Tanner	Dandenong All Abilities

Victorian Ivor Burge Men 

Athlete	Association / Program
Taj Boxall	Geelong United
Dylan Cheyne	Sunbury
Frazer Dawber	Doncaster All Abilities
Jake De La Motte	Waverley
Patrick Getson	Melton
Adam Horne	Dandenong All Abilities
TJ Leifi	Altona
Ryan Lethlean	Basketball Victoria
James Myers	Bairnsdale
Kobe Nealy	Rowville Rockets
Mick Tuitogalevu	Rupertswood Sharks

Emergency players 

Athlete	Association
Jax Gatt	Sunbury Lions