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.

12 Mar
Behind the scenes: Hawks' road trip to face Phoenix
Daniel Grida
Harry Froling
Sam Froling
Tyler Harvey

11 Mar
Illawarra's remaining NBL22 schedule locked in

11 Mar
Hawks present Indigenous jersey to Illawarra community

10 Mar
Hawks to host exciting April school holiday camp

9 Mar
JackJumpers stand in way of Hawks' fourth straight win

9 Mar
Illawarra rise to fourth in NBL power rankings

8 Mar
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: Hawks' 'Spark of the Round' vs South East Melbourne

7 Mar
Illawarra Hawks vs South East Melbourne Phoenix round 14 highlights

6 Mar
Hawks record huge statement win against Phoenix

6 Mar
Vote and win (round 14 vs South East Melbourne Phoenix)

3 Mar
Partnership provides Hawks and NGIL platform to grow together

3 Mar
Justinian Jessup: Hawks' 'Spark of the Round' vs New Zealand

3 Mar
Hawks ascend to fifth in NBL power rankings

2 Mar
Hawks to celebrate Indigenous round against Phoenix

2 Mar
Hawks zero in on third straight win against Phoenix

2 Mar
Illawarra Hawks vs New Zealand Breakers round 13 highlights
Harry Froling
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.

