Townsville pre-season tournie is first for WNBL

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Women's basketball star Isobel Borlase's wait to face former club Adelaide will be short as the defending champion Bendigo Spirit clash with the Lightning in just the second game of the WNBL's first standalone pre-season tournament in Townsville between September 26 and September 28, 2025.

The tournament is called Townsville Tip-Off 25. Townsville is the home of WNBL25 Grand Finalists Townsville Fire.

Borlase, 20, left the Lightning to sign with the Spirit on June 5, 2025 as the Victorian club retooled after losing WNBL MVP Sami Whitcomb to Turkey in the EuroLeague.

Townsville Tip-Off 25 Schedule

September 26, 2025: Friday Frenzy

• 5pm – Perth Lynx vs Southside Melbourne Flyers
• 7pm – Adelaide Lightning vs Bendigo Spirit

September 27, 2025: Saturday Spectacular:

• 2pm – Geelong Venom vs University of Canberra Capitals
• 4pm – Townsville Fire vs Sydney Flames
• 6pm – Southside Melbourne Flyers vs Adelaide Lightning

September 28, 2025: Sunday Funday

• 10am – Perth Lynx vs University of Canberra Capitals
• 12pm – Bendigo Spirit vs Sydney Flames
• 2pm – Townsville Fire vs Geelong Venom

The WNBL revealed there would also be SheHoops clinics led by WNBL legend Lauren Jackson and former Opals Captain Tess Madgen for Townsville, Ingham, Charters Towers and Ayr kids.

“Watching the Sydney Olympics on TV ignited a fire in me to become an Olympian, and that sense of possibility is something we want to bring to these clinics and community engagements," Madgen revealed.

"We’ve walked in these young people’s shoes and followed the same pathway they are beginning to take toward achieving their dreams.

"To have Olympians on their doorstep, sharing experiences, teaching, and connecting, will show them firsthand that anything is possible, especially with Brisbane 2032 around the corner.”

Townsville Tip-off 25 is the first time all eight teams will compete in one city for a preseason WNBL event ahead of the 2025-26 season.

WNBL CEO Jennie Sager said: “We are incredibly grateful for the support from the Queensland Government, Tourism Events Queensland, Townsville City Council, Townsville Enterprise, and the Townsville Fire, for bringing the inaugural Townsville Tip-Off to life.

“Townsville has an incredibly passionate community of basketball fans and with the Townsville Fire celebrating their 25th year, there is no better place to showcase women's basketball.”

Townsville Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said: “We have a fantastic basketball community here in Townsville, from grassroots juniors making their way through the ranks, to our four-time WNBL champions, the Townsville Fire - so I know the WNBL Tip-Off will be welcomed with open arms,” Cr Greaney said.

“Hosting events like this shows how diverse Townsville is as the sporting and events capital of northern Australia.

“As my fellow councillor and WNBL superstar Suzy Batkovic says - if you can see it, you can be it - and the WNBL Tip-Off is set to bring more than 200 world-class players and officials to our region over multiple days so there will certainly be plenty to see. I’m really looking forward to our community getting amongst the action.”

Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said: “The Crisafulli Government is continuing to cement Queensland’s place as a key sporting destination, securing another major event in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Townsville provides the perfect backdrop for the inaugural pre-season tournament, and it will be a real treat for basketball fans with the top women’s teams in the country, including the highly successful Townsville Fire, together in one place.

“Free community activities will take place alongside the games, sharing the excitement of the event, bringing the community together and inspiring participation in basketball.”