History of Illawarra Hawks in Timeline

The Illawarra Hawks are an Australian professional basketball team based in Wollongong, New South Wales, competing in the National Basketball League (NBL). They are the only team to have participated in every NBL season since 1979. Playing home games at WIN Entertainment Centre, the Hawks won NBL Championships in 2001 and 2025. They also finished as runners-up in 2005, 2010 and 2017.

1979: Played out of Beaton Park Stadium

From the club's inception in 1979, the Hawks played out of the 2,000 seat Beaton Park Stadium for twenty seasons.

1979: Joined the National Basketball League (NBL)

In 1979, the Illawarra Hawks joined the National Basketball League (NBL) for its inaugural season.

1979: Inception of Illawarra Hawks in NBL

In 1979, the Illawarra Hawks participated in the inaugural season of the National Basketball League (NBL). They are the only remaining NBL team to have competed in every season since the league's inception.

1980: McLeod captain of the club

In 1980–1982, McLeod is the only other captain (1980–1982 and 1984–1988) to have accomplished this when took over from Cooks in 2009.

1981: Mike Jones named MVP of the league

In 1981, Mike Jones was named MVP of the league.

1981: Mike Jones named NBL Most Valuable Player

In 1981, Mike Jones was named NBL Most Valuable Player.

1982: McLeod captain of the club

In 1980–1982, McLeod is the only other captain (1980–1982 and 1984–1988) to have accomplished this when took over from Cooks in 2009.

1983: NBL split into Eastern and Western divisions

In 1983, the NBL was split into Eastern and Western divisions during the regular season.

1984: NBL split into Eastern and Western divisions

In 1984, the NBL was split into Eastern and Western divisions during the regular season.

1984: McLeod captain of the club

In 1984–1988, McLeod is the only other captain (1980–1982 and 1984–1988) to have accomplished this when took over from Cooks in 2009.

1987: Finished third with 20-6 record

In 1987, the Illawarra Hawks had their best season to date, finishing in third place with a 20–6 record.

1988: McLeod captain of the club

In 1984–1988, McLeod is the only other captain (1980–1982 and 1984–1988) to have accomplished this when took over from Cooks in 2009.

1998: Renamed Wollongong Hawks and moved to WIN Entertainment Centre

In 1998, the team was renamed the Wollongong Hawks and moved into WIN Entertainment Centre.

1998: Playing at WIN Entertainment Centre since 1998-99 NBL season

The Hawks have been playing at the WIN Entertainment Centre since the 1998–99 NBL season.

1999: Eric Cooks became captain of the club

In 1999–00, Eric Cooks became the first captain of the club to also become a coach.

2000: Brendan Joyce won the Championship

In 2000–01, Brendan Joyce was the first coach to win the Championship.

2000: Won maiden NBL Championship

The 2000/01 season marked history for the Hawks as they won their maiden NBL Championship.

2001: Won first NBL Championship

In 2001, the Illawarra Hawks won their first NBL Championship.

2001: Won first championship since 2001

In the 2024-25 season, The Hawks won their first championship since 2001.

2003: Brendan Joyce runners-up in regular season

In 2003–04, Brendan Joyce was the first coach to claim runners-up in the regular season.

2004: Brendan Joyce claimed runners-up

In 2004–05, Brendan Joyce was the first coach to claim runners-up.

2004: Returned to the NBL Grand Final

In the 2004/05 season, the Hawks returned to the NBL Grand Final.

2004: Record home attendance during the 2004-05 NBL season

The Hawks record home attendance was set on 18 February 2005 against the Sydney Kings at the WIN Entertainment Centre during Round 21 of the 2004–05 NBL season.

February 2005: Record home attendance

On February 18, 2005, the Hawks set a record home attendance of 5,839 against the Sydney Kings at the WIN Entertainment Centre.

2005: Finished as runners-up

In 2005, the Illawarra Hawks finished as runners-up in the NBL.

2006: Eric Cooks became coach

In 2006–2009, Eric Cooks became the first captain of the club (1999–00) to also become a coach.

February 2009: "Save the Hawks" Campaign Started

In February 2009, captain Mat Campbell started the "Save the Hawks" campaign after the ownership group declared the team would not be able to join revamped league in 2009/10 on financial grounds.

2009: McLeod took over from Cooks

In 2009, Gordie McLeod took over from Eric Cooks.

2009: Made third appearance in grand final series

In 2009/10, the Hawks made their third appearance in the grand final series.

2010: Came up short to Perth Wildcats

In 2009/10, the Hawks came up short to the Perth Wildcats in the grand final series.

2010: Finished as runners-up

In 2010, the Illawarra Hawks finished as runners-up in the NBL.

2010: Reached NBL Grand Final

In the 2016/17 season, the Illawarra Hawks reached the NBL Grand Final for the first time since 2010.

August 2012: NBL AWARD WINNERS Archived

The NBL AWARD WINNERS were archived on August 13, 2012.

2013: Rotnei Clarke named MVP of the league

In 2013/14, Rotnei Clarke was named MVP of the league.

July 2014: James Spenceley became the new owner

In July 2014, James Spenceley became the new owner of the Illawarra Hawks.

March 2015: Hawks entered Voluntary Administration

On March 2, 2015, the Hawks decided to place themselves into Voluntary Administration.

June 2015: Reverted to original name, the Illawarra Hawks

On June 22, 2015, the organization announced that the team would revert to its original name, the Illawarra Hawks.

2015: Rob Beveridge signed as head coach

For the 2015/16 season, Rob Beveridge was signed as head coach.

2016: Reacquired Rotnei Clarke

For the 2016/17 season, the Hawks reacquired the serves of Rotnei Clarke.

2017: Finished as runners-up

In 2017, the Illawarra Hawks finished as runners-up in the NBL.

June 2019: LaMelo Ball signed with the Illawarra Hawks

On June 17, 2019, LaMelo Ball announced he would sign with the Illawarra Hawks.

October 2019: Hawks vs Breakers becomes most-watched NBL game

On October 24, 2019, the game between the Illawarra Hawks and the New Zealand Breakers became the most watched game in NBL history with nearly two million views globally on Facebook.

April 2020: NBL took back the licence

In April 2020, the NBL took back the licence for the Illawarra Hawks after the club was placed into voluntary administration.

May 2020: Creditors voted to liquidate

In May 2020, creditors voted to liquidate the Hawks, but the NBL vowed to keep the club alive.

June 2020: New License Awarded

On June 17, 2020 the NBL announced that Dorry Kordahi, Bryan Colangelo and Michael Proctor had been awarded the license for the club.

February 2021: Renamed the Illawarra Hawks

In February 2021, the NBL agreed to allow the club to be renamed the Illawarra Hawks after a successful campaign by the new owners to boost membership and corporate support.