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.

1 Dec
Ogilvy's Hawks raring to take flight in season opener
30 Nov
Hawks fine tune preparations for Adelaide season opener
30 Nov
Illawarra launch 'Hero Hawk Award' for NBL22 season

29 Nov
NBL introduce challenge system for Goorjian and fellow coaches

28 Nov
Hawks cleared to resume training after false positive COVID-19 test

27 Nov
Hawks' NBL Blitz showdown with Kings cancelled due to COVID-19

26 Nov
Steelers Club to host Hawks' post-Blitz function

25 Nov
Hawks launch NBL22 Space Jam jerseys

24 Nov
UFC champion Volkanovski takes on the Hawks
Sam Froling

24 Nov
Arch rivals Sydney stand between Illawarra and Loggins-Bruton Cup
23 Nov
Hawks' NBL22 season launch to be rescheduled

23 Nov
COVID-19 protocols cancel Hawks' NBL Blitz fixture with Breakers

22 Nov
Bearded Bakers take over the Gong!

20 Nov
Reath, Harvey lead second half revival in win over defending champs at NBL Blitz

19 Nov
Propel Technologies joins Illawarra Hawks' championship flight

19 Nov
Hawks name Ogilvy as captain for NBL22 season
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.

