Our Story
A Community Born from Passion – Over 50 Years of Basketball in the Perth Hills
Since 1971, the Hills Raiders Basketball Association (HRBA) has been the heartbeat of basketball in the Mundaring Hills of Western Australia. What began as a small group of local enthusiasts tired of travelling to distant suburbs for a game has grown into one of the most vibrant community sporting organisations in the Perth Hills region, now based at Mundaring Arena on 50 Mundaring Weir Rd, Mundaring WA 6073.
Our Vision — A Pathway to Excellence
Hills Raiders strives to be the premier basketball association in the Eastern Hills region, fostering an inclusive and thriving community where basketball is the sport of choice for all ages. Our vision is to create an environment that promotes high participation in local competitions while developing pathways for athletes to achieve elite performance opportunities. We aim to deliver an enjoyable and safe space for players, referees, coaches, volunteers, and staff, ensuring compliance with the highest standards of community welfare and development. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a young talent just starting, Hills Raiders is committed to nurturing growth, sportsmanship, and a lifelong passion for basketball.
Supporting Officials and Volunteers
We invest in referee development through structured programs that guide new referees from beginner to accredited levels. Volunteers, including coaches and team managers, play a key role in every part of our operations — their ongoing support makes our competitions and programs possible. In 2024 alone, 561 volunteers took on coaching and team management roles.
Community Basketball for All
Today, HRBA supports more than 2,700 players and 352 teams through eleven affiliated clubs and independent groups. Our Winter, Summer, and Hills Social competitions focus on fun, participation, and skill development in a safe and supportive environment.
HRBA also runs Ford Aussie Hoops (ages 5–10) and Ability Hoops, an inclusive basketball program for participants with disabilities — ensuring that basketball truly is for everyone in the Hills.
Player Pathways and Development
Our WABL Raiders teams represent HRBA in the Western Australian Basketball League. In 2024, we fielded 22 teams with 241 players, supported by 47 coaches, 27 team managers, and over 50 referees. By 2025, this has grown to 26 WABL teams, including Championship Men’s and Women’s teams.
HRBA’s vision extends beyond domestic and state-level play. Our long-term goal is to establish a direct pathway to NBL1, one of Australia’s premier basketball leagues. We are actively working toward gaining an NBL1 licence, which would offer a direct route to elite-level basketball in Australia — reflecting our dedication to talent development and progression.
Founding Years
Formation of the Mundaring and Districts Basketball Association. The Hills Raiders Basketball Association (HRBA) has a rich history, beginning in 1971 when it was founded as the Mundaring and Districts Basketball Association.
At that time, local basketball enthusiasts had to travel to Harper Park, West Midland, or other suburbs for games. However, this changed with the inaugural meeting held on February 10, 1971, at Mundaring Primary School, which led to the first basketball season at Harry Riseborough Oval.
Expansion & Growth
By 1977, the HRBA moved to a new, multi-functional court at the Mundaring Recreation Ground, a pivotal moment in improving local basketball facilities.
The introduction of Tuesday night basketball in 1986 marked another significant development. In 1987, the association officially became known as the Hills Raiders Basketball Association.
Facility Upgrades
The HRBA expanded its infrastructure with the construction of an outdoor office and canteen in 1989, followed by further expansions in the mid-1990s.
Notable upgrades in 2000-2001, such as court resurfacing and installing new fencing, created a better basketball environment for local players and teams.
Affiliation with Basketball WA
The HRBA’s affiliation with Basketball WA in 1997-1998 was a key milestone, fostering the growth of junior basketball.
This led to the introduction of mini basketball for children and the launch of the Primary School Skills Development Program in 2001-2002, which has been instrumental in encouraging youth basketball participation and developing local talent.
The Quest for an Indoor Stadium
The association’s vision for an indoor basketball stadium took shape in the early 1990s, but it wasn’t until 2012 that substantial progress was made, thanks to community support and local government involvement.
A generous donation and a grant pledge finally made the stadium a reality. By 2018, the Hills Raiders Indoor Basketball Stadium was completed, marking a monumental achievement in the association’s history.
Hills Raiders Join WABL
In 2018, the Hills Raiders Basketball Association reached another important milestone by joining the West Australian Basketball League (WABL). On August 20, 2018, the association became the 13th WABL club, and the first new club to join since Lakeside in 1995.
The Hills Raiders’ inaugural WABL season in 2019 featured four teams, growing to 23 teams by 2023, underscoring their commitment to youth basketball development.
A Flourishing Basketball Association in Western Australia
In 2024, the Hills Raiders Basketball Association proudly hosted the Summer 2023/24 & Winter 2024 Domestic seasons, for over 2,700 players across 352 teams for our 11 affiliated clubs and independent teams. This included 561 volunteers taking on the Coaching & Team Management roles.
Hills Raiders WABL entered 22 teams in the 2024 season with 241 players, 47 coaches, 27 team managers and over 50 referees, all of whom played a crucial role in the continued success and growth of the association.