The Ford Dealer Network and Basketball Australia are proud to recognise and celebrate the coaches, team staff and athletes who exemplified leadership, sportsmanship and character throughout the 2026 Foot Locker U16 National Championships.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Across the week, the Ford Dealer Network acknowledged individuals who embodied the values of Australian basketball through five award categories: Built Tough, Building Together, Community, Beyond the Court and All-Rounder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Built Tough Award recognised \u00a0athletes whose performance & behaviour embodies resilience & grit and relentless commitment.<\/p>\n
The 2026 recipients were\u00a0Caleb Dyer\u00a0(South Australia Metro) and\u00a0Tully Pepper\u00a0(WA Country).\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Building Together Award recognised those who display leadership by putting their team first \u2013 demonstrating commitment to moving others forward and showing up when their teammates need it most.<\/p>\n
This year’s recipients were\u00a0Levin Maher\u00a0(Northern Territory) and\u00a0Eliza Boucher\u00a0(Tasmania).\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Community Award celebrates a staff member or spectator who puts the basketball community first, showing outstanding sportsmanship, inclusivity and support.<\/p>\n
The award went to ACT Head Coach\u00a0Thomas Commins\u00a0and Victoria Metro Manager\u00a0Bianca McCulloch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Beyond the Court Award recognised team managers who went\u00a0above and beyond\u00a0to support their teams throughout the championships.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Recipients were Northern Territory Team Manager\u00a0Dina Campbell-McQuillan\u00a0and South Australia Country Team Manager\u00a0Erin Blott.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The All-Rounder Award celebrated those who contribute to the team’s success on and off the court, and within their team culture, showing versatility, commitment and the true spirit of the competition.<\/p>\n
This year’s recipients were ACT Assistant Coach\u00a0David Close\u00a0and Victoria Metro Assistant Coach\u00a0Morgan Tolley.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All award recipients received a medal along with an Australian basketball prize pack featuring a backpack,\u00a0towel\u00a0and cap.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Basketball Australia thanks the Ford Dealer Network for its continued support of the Foot Locker U16 National Championships.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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