Dan Grida brings the energy to Girls in the Game at Berkeley
13 Oct 2026
1
min read


Girls in the Game returned to Illawarra Sports Stadium in Berkeley on Tuesday 6th October, and Hawks fan favourite Daniel Grida turned up ready to play.
Delivered in partnership with Greater Bank, the two-hour clinic was open to girls aged 5 to 12 at every skill level. Some had never held a basketball. Some play every weekend. From 1:30pm to 3:30pm, they all did the same thing: played.
Dan Grida, Hype Man
Dan came down in a Girls in the Game tee and didn’t stand still all afternoon. He fired up the youngest group before their drills, handed out high-fives down the line and finished with a marker in hand, signing the girls’ shirts.
For plenty of the girls on court, it was the first time they had met a Hawks player up close. For Dan, it was three days out from back-to-back home games against Tasmania and Cairns, and he still made the time to be there.

Coached by Women Who Play
The promise behind Girls in the Game hasn’t changed. Girls only. Female coaches. Built for beginners without boring the girls who already play.
Our coaches worked in small groups all afternoon, so nobody got lost at the back of a line. Every girl had a ball, and the skills went straight into games the same afternoon, which is the part the kids rate highest every time.
Watching a five-year-old who walked in nervous leave asking when the next one is, that’s exactly why we run this.”
Maddy Delaney, Community Engagement Coordinator

Why We Keep Running It
Basketball doesn’t get talked about as a girls’ sport in this region. That’s the real barrier, and it’s fixable. Every clinic puts more girls on court, more confidence in their hands and more reasons to come back.
Families told us after our July holiday programs that they agreed: 90% said they would come again, and they rated how the day was run 4.7 out of 5.
Want to see Dan in red and black?
The Hawks are back at WIN Entertainment Centre on Thursday 22nd October against the Sydney Kings.
Get Her in the Game
Every player starts with one first shot. Registration details for the next clinic go to the Hawks email list first, so get on it now and she won’t miss out.

Girls in the Game is delivered in partnership with Greater Bank, who back this program because more girls in Illawarra basketball is worth backing.
STRONGER. LOUDER. TOGETHER.

7 Aug
The Illawarra Hawks announce the signing of global talent, Jonah Bolden.

5 Aug
ILLAWARRA HAWKS WELCOME JOHNY NARKLE AS DEVELOPMENT PLAYER FOR NBL26

1 Aug
Illawarra Hawks Welcome NBA Champion JaVale McGee to Wollongong

31 Jul
"Lee for Three!”: Hyunjung Lee Departs Hawks for Japan Opportunity

28 Jul
JACKSON BALL SIGNS WITH ILLAWARRA HAWKS AS DEVELOPMENT PLAYER FOR NBL26

21 Jul
Illawarra Hawks NBL26 Memberships on sale now!

15 Jul
NBL Champions Illawarra Hawks Soar to FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Singapore

9 Jul
Harry Froling signs as injury replacement

3 Jul
Davo Hickey selected in 14-man Boomers squad

27 Jun
Lachlan Olbrich Drafted to Chicago Bulls

26 Jun
Blitz heads to Canberra

25 Jun
Olbrich's journey to the NBA Draft

17 Jun
IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT IGNITES WEDNESDAYS

16 Jun
HoopsFest Returns to Perth

3 Jun
Peatling selected in Aus NBL Select them

2 Jun
McDowell-White selected in Indigenous All-Stars team
Support your team with the latest gear
Grab your latest team releases before they're gone.

Get the latest Team Updates
Breaking news & special offers. Direct to your inbox.

