The University of Western Australia’s representative sporting teams have wrapped up their 2026 university leagues campaigns, with UWA Maali celebrating a season of spirited performances across the league competitions including the New Balance University Basketball League (UBL) and the University Tennis League (UTL). 

UWA Maali secured third place in the 2026 University Tennis League following an impressive campaign at the national finals, held at Blacktown Tennis Centre Stanhope in Sydney from 8 to 10 September. 

Entering the finals as the second seed, UWA progressed directly to the semi-finals, where they faced the University of Queensland in a tightly contested encounter. Despite a determined performance, Maali narrowly missed out on a place in the grand final, falling 5–4 after Queensland gained the upper hand in the doubles matches. 

UWA bounced back emphatically in the bronze medal playoff against Monash University, producing a dominant display to win every singles match. With Monash retiring ahead of the doubles matches, Maali secured third place and a national bronze medal to cap off an impressive season. 

On the basketball court, UWA Maali concluded their 2026 New Balance University Basketball League campaign with a spirited Rivalry Round double-header against cross-town rivals Curtin University on 24 September. 

The women's team finished the season on a high, recording an emphatic 83–59 victory over the Curtin Carnabys to secure their second win of the campaign. The men's team also demonstrated resilience throughout the season, with a standout victory over reigning champions the University of Tasmania highlighting their campaign. 

While both teams missed out on finals qualification, the season provided valuable opportunities for UWA's student-athletes to compete against some of the country's strongest university basketball programs. 

The 2026 season marked another milestone for the UBL, with the competition expanding to 14 teams nationwide. UWA hosted five home fixtures at the UWA Fitness and Recreation Centre and travelled interstate to Adelaide and Melbourne, providing student-athletes with opportunities to compete at a national level while proudly representing the University. 

Beyond the results, UWA's home fixtures brought the campus community together through a series of themed rounds celebrating inclusion, diversity and belonging. Indigenous Round, Pride Round, Women in Sport Round and International Round provided opportunities to recognise the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the UWA community, while creating vibrant and engaging experiences for students, staff and supporters. 

The season also welcomed the debut of Maali Spirit, a student-led dance and performance initiative that brought a new dimension of energy and entertainment to UWA's home games. With performances throughout the season, Maali Spirit helped create a lively courtside atmosphere and strengthen connections between student-athletes and the wider university community, laying the foundations for the initiative's continued growth in 2027. 

The 2026 university leagues season highlighted the important role of representative sport in creating opportunities for students to connect, compete and develop a sense of belonging at UWA. 

UWA Sport acknowledges the contributions of the coaches, team managers, volunteers and supporters whose dedication helped deliver another memorable season. 

Special thanks also go to the organisations and individuals who supported the delivery of UWA's UBL home fixtures, including UniSport Australia, Basketball WA, SEDA, Sportscast Australia, Perth Medical Volunteers, Retriever Sound DJ Services, Sports Imagery, Alexander Circosta and Eric Paul Goldie. 

Congratulations to all UWA Maali student-athletes who proudly represented the University across the league competition.