Published on Wednesday, 19 August 2026 at 4:27:03 PM
The Perth Wildcats made a triumphant return to Eaton Recreation Centre on Friday night, with a sold-out crowd of more than 800 packing the venue for the club's Red vs Black pre-season intraclub match.
Four years after the Wildcats last played at Eaton Recreation Centre, the event once again demonstrated the strong appetite for elite sporting events in the South West, attracting basketball fans from across the region.
Shire of Dardanup President Cr Tyrrell Gardiner said the event was a fantastic success for the community and highlighted the important role Eaton Recreation Centre plays as a regional sporting and events venue.
"It was incredible to see Eaton Recreation Centre filled with local families, basketball fans and young athletes enjoying such a unique sporting experience right here in the South West," Cr Gardiner said.
"Events like this inspire our community, showcase our outstanding facilities and create opportunities for local people to connect with elite sport close to home.
“The feedback has been really positive from our community and also the Wildcats. We hope to host them again in the future.”
Cr Gardiner said the success of the weekend continued on Saturday morning, when more than 160 young basketballers took part in the Perth Wildcats Junior Clinics, learning new skills and training alongside Wildcats players and coaches.
He said the clinics provided a rare opportunity for local children to gain firsthand experience from one of Australia's most successful sporting clubs while building confidence and developing their game.
The Shire acknowledged the support of the Perth Wildcats, its partners: Eaton Basketball Association and South West Slammers, sponsors: Commonwealth Bank, Halifax Mechanical and Engineering, Civil Safety, Blue Hire and J&P Group Pty Ltd and Woolworths, plus volunteers and staff whose combined efforts helped deliver the successful weekend.
Key sponsor Halifax Mechanical and Engineering's Melissa De Marte said the company was proud to support an event that connected the community through sport.
“We’ve been looking for the perfect way to get involved locally and give back to the community,” she said.
“Bringing live sport to the Southwest and giving our local kids a chance to jump in and participate, was an opportunity that we couldn't pass up!”
Commonwealth Bank Executive Manager Regional and Agribusiness Banking - Commercial South, Tennae Delamotte, said the bank was proud to support initiatives that help regional communities thrive.
“Commonwealth Bank is proud to back initiatives that help regional communities flourish,” she said.
“Sport has a unique way of bringing people together, creating shared experiences and encouraging young people to dream bigger. We're delighted to support the Perth Wildcats' visit to Dardanup, giving local families and the wider South West community the chance to connect with one of Australia's leading sporting teams.
“As a long-standing partner of the region, we're committed to backing communities by investing in opportunities that help them thrive, inspire the next generation and leave a lasting positive impact.
"The Perth Wildcats' visit to Dardanup, giving local families and the wider South West community the chance to connect with one of Australia's leading sporting teams. As a long-standing partner of the region, we're committed to backing communities by investing in opportunities that help them thrive, inspire the next generation and leave a lasting positive impact.”
Perth Wildcats player Jesse Wagstaff takes young basketballers through some drills at the junior clinics at the ERC on Saturday, 15 August 2026.
Perth Wildcats players and coaches hosted more than 160 young basketballers through clinics at the ERC on Saturday.
Thank you to our partners and sponsors who made the Wildcats game possible: Commonwealth Bank, Halifax Mechanical and Engineering, Civil Safety, Blue Hire, J&P Group Pty Ltd and Woolworths.
The Eaton Rec Centre transformed to host the Perth Wildcats for an intraclub match on Friday, 14 August 2026, hosting more than 800 people.
Perth Wildcats players Cameron Huefner (left) and Alex Higgins-Titsha jump ball at the Eaton Rec Centre on Friday night.
Perth Wildcats Head Coach John Rillie (left) during a Q&A with SEN Spirit Radio host Jarred O'Brien.
Perth Wildcats Owner Mark Arena (left) and General Manager Danny Mills at the pre-game function.
Winner of the Eaton Basketball Association raffle Melanie Blyth (right).
Perth Wildcats players during the signing session at the junior basketball clinics on Saturday.
Perth Wildcats forward Kristian Doolittle in action as opponent Elijah Pepper closes in during the intraclub match on Friday night.
Media contact: Tahnia Creedon, Coordinator Communications and Marketing | tahnia.creedon@dardanup.wa.gov.au | 0436 942 509.
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