Years of early mornings and training on the court have paid off for four St Norbert College students who will represent Western Australia at the 2026 Under-18 National Junior Basketball Championships in Brisbane.
Andre Dweh has been selected in the 2026 Under-18 Men’s National Junior Championships State Team, while Kaia Rukuata has earned selection in the Under-18 Women’s State Team. Fellow St Norbert College students Lemafa-Hoana Tuiali’i and Leeshar-Rose Tuiali’i have also been recognised, named as reserves for the women’s squad.
The championships will be held from April 12 to 19 in Brisbane, bringing together the country’s top emerging basketball talent.
Andre expressed pride when he learned he had made the state team.
“My coach told me,” he said. “It was a really good moment for me. It made me feel proud.”
His basketball journey began when he was just four years old, playing domestic basketball in Victoria Park.
“I was instantly passionate and driven,” he said. “I always wanted to play basketball at a high level.”
Twins Lemafa-Hoana and Leeshar-Rose Tuiali’i received the news at home, with their father breaking it to them.
“We were excited to be involved and hopeful for an opportunity,” they said.
The sisters started playing basketball at nine years old with the Perth Redbacks in Victoria Park, before gaining confidence in their ability through their progression into the NBL1 Perth Redbacks women’s program.
“We gained confidence in basketball and our ability when we made the NBL1 Perth Redbacks women’s team,” they said.
All three Specialist Basketball Program students said representing Western Australia at a national championship was a significant milestone.
“It’s important to us,” they said. “It’s an opportunity to train and play at another level and showcase our talent.”
Balancing elite sport with school life has not come without challenges.
“The biggest challenge would be time management,” they said. “Balancing all of the commitments, both in and out of school.”
They credit St Norbert College’s Specialist Basketball Program with helping them manage those demands while continuing to develop as athletes and individuals.
“It has given us more opportunities to play basketball against other athletes in our program,” they said. “It’s given us more time to work and develop our skills, and the ability to grow confidence and gain leadership skills, both on and off the court.”
The program has also provided exposure through Associated & Catholic Colleges of WA (ACC) and School Sport WA (SSWA) competitions, helping students prepare for elite pathways.
Each athlete pointed to defining moments that marked turning points in their journey.
Andre’s turning point came last year when he represented Western Australia Metro at the Under-16 Australian National Junior Championships.
“At the tournament we won seven games in a row,” he said. “I felt like my hard work was being rewarded.”
For Lemafa-Hoana and Leeshar-Rose, the breakthrough came at just 15-years-old.
“We had the opportunity to train with the NBL1 Perth Redbacks women’s team,” they said. “We signed development player contracts and then full contracts at 16. That’s when we felt our hard work was being rewarded.”
Behind each achievement is a strong support network.
“Our dad has played a huge role,” the twins said. “He always makes sure we get to training and do extra work to keep improving. Colin helped develop our skills and always had confidence in us.”
Andre credited his family and long-time coach for their support.
“My mum and grandad have always made sure I’m consistently working hard and getting to training and games,” he said. “Coach Brad Armstrong at Armstrong Academy always believed in me and worked with me for many years.”
Meanwhile Andre noted he is eager to test himself against the nation’s best.
“I’m looking forward to going against the top players in Australia,” he said. “I want exposure to higher-level basketball because my goal is to play at a college level.”
Specialist Basketball Program Coordinator Raya Thompson said the selections were a significant achievement for the school and a reflection of sustained effort.
“Being selected for a WA Under-18 State Team is extremely competitive,” she said. “To have St Norbert College students recognised at this level highlights the high standard of athletes we are developing.”
She said the students’ success was grounded in discipline.
“All three students set an exceptionally high standard within our Specialised Basketball Program,” she said. “Mafa and Leeshar consistently demonstrate elite work ethic, professionalism and a continual desire to improve, while Andre’s talent, competitiveness and consistency set the benchmark for his peers.”
“They approach every session with purpose, are coachable, and show strong character both on and off the court,” she said. “Through these experiences, they have grown into leaders and role models and set the tone for the culture of our program.”
According to Ms Thompson, the program’s structure was designed to mirror elite pathways.
“Our Specialised Basketball Program provides a competitive environment where athletes are training against other high-level players every session,” she said. “With strong coaching and high expectations around effort, discipline and performance, athletes develop in a way that closely aligns with state and national pathways.”
She said partnerships with organisations such as Basketball WA played a vital role.
“They give our athletes clear pathways,” she said. “They create opportunities for students to be identified, challenged and supported at a higher level, and connect what they are doing at school with representative basketball.”
Ms Thompson said achievements like this extended beyond the court.
“They create a real sense of pride around the school and give younger athletes something to aim for,” she said. “They reinforce the value of our Specialised Basketball Program and help build a strong culture of striving for high standards at St Norbert College.”
The school has also recognised St Norbert College student and Kalamunda Eastern Suns player Kaia Rukuata for her selection in the women’s state team.
