Bendigo Spirit

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Bendigo Spirit
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LeaguesWNBL
Founded2007
HistoryBendigo Spirit
2007–present
ArenaRed Energy Arena
Capacity2800
LocationBendigo, Victoria
Team colorsBlue, yellow, white
Main sponsorTAC
General managerDaniel Jackson
Head coachKennedy Kereama
OwnershipSports Entertainment Group
Championships3 (2013, 2014, 2025)
Websitewnbl.basketball/bendigo

The Bendigo Spirit are an Australian professional basketball team based in Bendigo, Victoria. The Spirit play in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) and play their home games at Red Energy Arena. The team debuted in the WNBL in 2007.

History

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The Bendigo Spirit were formed in 2007 and debuted in the Women's National Basketball League in the 2007–08 season.[1] The inaugural team was coached by Bernie Harrower and was led by his daughter, Kristi Harrower.

The Spirit played in three straight WNBL Grand Finals between 2013 and 2015, winning back-to-back WNBL championships in 2012–13 and 2013–14.[2] At the time, the team was led by Harrower, Gabrielle Richards, Kelly Wilson as well as imports Chelsea Aubry and the now naturalised, Kelsey Griffin.

The Spirit missed the playoffs every year between 2015–16 and 2023–24. In 2024–25, the Spirit returned to the playoffs and made the WNBL Grand Final behind league MVP, Sami Whitcomb.[3] The Spirit went on to defeat the Townsville Fire 2–0 in the grand final series to win their third WNBL championship.[4][5]

In July 2025, the Spirit unveiled a new logo with a rebranded colour scheme and identity.[6]

Season-by-season records

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Season Standings Regular season Finals Head coach
W L PCT
Bendigo Spirit
2007–08 7th 10 14 41.6 Did not qualify Bernie Harrower
2008–09 5th 14 8 63.6 Lost Elimination Final (Adelaide, 73–81) Bernie Harrower
2009–10 5th 13 9 59.1 Lost Elimination Final (Townsville, 73–84) Bernie Harrower
2010–11 3rd 15 7 68.2 Won Semi Final (Logan, 74–53)
Lost Preliminary Final (Canberra, 78–83) 		Bernie Harrower
2011–12 6th 12 10 54.5 Did not qualify Bernie Harrower
2012–13 1st 21 3 87.5 Won Semi Final (Dandenong, 78–71)
Won Grand Final (Townsville, 71–57) 		Bernie Harrower
2013–14 1st 22 2 91.6 Won Semi Final (Dandenong, 71–62)
Won Grand Final (Townsville, 94–83) 		Bernie Harrower
2014–15 2nd 15 7 68.2 Lost Semi Final (Townsville, 63–82)
Won Preliminary Final (Sydney, 85–77)
Lost Grand Final (Townsville, 65–75) 		Bernie Harrower
2015–16 6th 12 12 50.0 Did not qualify Simon Pritchard
2016–17 6th 13 11 54.1 Did not qualify Simon Pritchard
2017–18 8th 4 17 19.1 Did not qualify Simon Pritchard
2018–19 7th 7 14 33.3 Did not qualify Simon Pritchard
2019–20 7th 5 16 23.8 Did not qualify Tracy York
2020 8th 0 13 0.0 Did not qualify Tracy York
2021–22 5th 7 9 43.7 Did not qualify Tracy York
2022–23 5th 11 10 52.3 Did not qualify Tracy York
2023–24 6th 11 10 52.3 Did not qualify Kennedy Kereama
2024-25 1st 18 3 85.7 Won Semi Final (Sydney, 76-67, 91-74)

Won Grand Final (Townsville, 70-60, 63-55)

Kennedy Kereama
Regular season 210 172 52.7 3 Minor Premierships
Finals 6 5 54.5 3 WNBL Championships

Source: Bendigo Spirit Archived 22 August 2019 at the Wayback Machine

Players

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Current roster

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Bendigo Spirit roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht.
F 0 Australia McDowell-White, Hayley (DP) 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
G 3 Australia Booth, Georgia 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
G 4 United States McConnell, Megan (I) 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
G 5 Australia Simpson, Micah 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
F 7 Australia Pollerd, Olivia 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
F 8 Australia Macgregor, Catherine (DP) 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
C 12 Australia Tolo, Marianna (C) 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
G 13 Australia Wehrung, Abigail 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
G 14 Australia Borlase, Isobel 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
G 16 Australia Samuels, Casey 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
F 23 Australia Griffin, Kelsey (C) 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
F 53 Australia Rees, Kelsey 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (I) Import player
  • Injured Injured
Updated: 26 October 2025

Former players

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Coaches and staff

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Head coaches

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Bendigo Spirit head coaches
Name Start End Seasons Regular season Finals
W L PCT G W L PCT G
Bernie Harrower 2007 2015 8 121 61 66.4 182 6 5 54.5 11
Simon Pritchard 2015 2018 4 36 54 40.0 90 0 0 0.0 0
Tracy York 2019 2022 3 5 16 23.8 0 0 0 0.0 0
Kennedy Kereama 2022 1 7 0 100 0 0 0 0.0 0

Ownership

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In April 2022, the team's WNBL license was purchased from Bendigo Stadium Limited (BSL) by Sports Entertainment Group.[7][8]

References

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