GAME CENTRE
Newcastle’s Mackenzie Wills and Head Coach Larry Davidson capped off an unforgettable campaign at the 2025 Virtus Global Games in Kazakhstan, securing gold medals in both the 5×5 and 3×3 basketball competitions.
The Australian Pearls dominated the 5×5 three game finals series against Spain, completing a clean sweep to claim the gold medal.
This incredible 5×5 performance followed success earlier in the week in the 3×3 format, where Pearls Green went undefeated to win gold, and Pearls Gold secured silver in an all-Australian final, highlighting the program’s strength across multiple formats.
Rising star Mackenzie Wills played a pivotal role throughout the tournament, with her impact both on and off the court exemplifying the resilience and competitive spirit of the Pearls squad.
The great results speak to the continued growth and success of the Pearls Program and underline the depth of talent in Australia’s national intellectual disability basketball pathway.
Newcastle Basketball congratulates Mackenzie, Larry, and the entire Pearls squad on their fantastic achievements and proudly celebrates their role in flying the flag for Australia on the world stage.
