The Bendigo Braves are excited to announce the appointment of former Australian Opals Captain and Olympian, Tess Madgen as Head Coach of the NBL1 Champions IGA Women’s team for the upcoming 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Madgen, one of Australia’s most respected basketball figures, brings an impressive playing career and deep leadership experience to the role. A two-time Olympian (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), Madgen captained the Australian Opals to a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, adding to an already distinguished international career that includes multiple FIBA medals and WNBL championships. Madgen received WNBL Life Membership in December 2024.

Having previously played for the NBL1 Bendigo Braves and WNBL Bendigo Spirit, and represented Bendigo at various stages of her career, Madgen’s appointment marks a homecoming and a new chapter for Bendigo’s buzzing basketball community.

Madgen’s leadership will play a key role in aligning the NBL1 Bendigo Braves and WNBL Bendigo Spirit programs, ensuring local players can see a clear and connected journey from Red Energy Arena’s basketball pathways to elite level competition.

The Champions IGA NBL1 Bendigo Braves Women will now begin preparations under Madgen’s direction ahead of the 2026 NBL1 season.

Tess Madgen on her new role as Head Coach, NBL1 Champions IGA Bendigo Braves Women’s team (2026 & 2027):

“I’m genuinely excited for the opportunity to lead the Bendigo Braves NBL1 Women’s team. Having played for Bendigo and now stepping into the head coaching role feels like a full-circle moment.

“This role goes well beyond one team or one season. I am incredibly passionate about creating pathways for women in sport, particularly basketball, and I want to ensure that girls and young women in Bendigo see a clear, achievable future in the game.

“My vision is to see local development for players, from grassroots through to juniors, into NBL1 with the Bendigo Braves, and then on to the WNBL with the Bendigo Spirit – the opportunities for females in Bendigo are astounding for a regional city. That connection is the legacy I want to build.”

CEO, Red Energy Arena, David Elliott, on Tess Madgen’s appointment:

“We are thrilled Tess has committed to building and reshaping our NBL1 Women’s Bendigo Braves program, with a major focus on our basketball pathways for players, coaches and administrators.

“We are embarking on a new strategic direction and Tess’s experience and leadership, most recently representing the Australian Opals as Captain achieving Bronze Medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will be invaluable for basketball in Bendigo.”