University of the Sunshine Coast

Queensland Pride, National Ambition

The University of the Sunshine Coast enters the 2026 New Balance University Basketball League season carrying a unique responsibility: representing Queensland as the state’s only UBL program.

Every time the UniSC Mari take the court, they do so not just for their university, but for basketball players across South-East Queensland looking for a pathway to compete on the national stage.

That status creates exciting opportunities for recruitment and visibility, while also presenting challenges that few other programs face. Every away game requires interstate travel, and managing fatigue across back-to-back road trips is a constant part of the season.

Rather than viewing that travel as a disadvantage, the Mari have turned it into a strength. Long trips and shared experiences have helped build a strong bond between the men’s and women’s squads, creating a genuine sense of connection across the entire program.

The pride within the group reached a new level in 2025 when the UniSC women’s team advanced to the UBL Grand Final, a milestone that announced the Mari as one of the competition’s rising programs.

For a smaller regional university, it was a powerful statement that UniSC can compete with the best basketball programs in the country.

What the university is most proud of, however, goes beyond results.

The Mari have built a program that student-athletes actively want to be part of – one centred on opportunity, high performance, connection and a genuine commitment to helping athletes succeed alongside their academic goals.

As a regional university, UniSC has embraced a close-knit, family-oriented culture where every student-athlete is known, supported and developed. That sense of belonging has become one of the program’s greatest strengths and continues to set the Mari apart from larger universities.

“Every time UniSC Mari takes the court, we proudly represent not only our university but Queensland as the state’s only UBL team, creating a strong sense of pride and purpose within the program.”

The UniSC Mari identity is built on connection, accountability and belonging.

The program wants to play fast, fearless and bold, using defensive pressure to create opportunities and attacking with confidence while trusting one another on both ends of the floor.

The goal is not simply to play quickly, but to play with intent and aggression while staying connected as a group.

A strong returning core across both squads provides valuable experience and leadership, helping set the standard for new players entering the program.

That continuity has allowed the Mari to keep building their culture year after year while maintaining the high-performance expectations that have driven the program’s recent success.

What makes the style especially effective is the diversity of the playing group.

UniSC athletes come from different clubs, states and basketball backgrounds, but quickly become one Mari team, building genuine relationships that extend beyond basketball.

The program’s philosophy is clear: develop athletes, students and people at the same time, ensuring players leave UniSC better in every area of their lives.

“Our identity is to play fast, fearless and bold. We want to apply defensive pressure and attack with confidence while trusting one another.”

The UniSC Mari program is led by Head Coach Nathan Arousi, who has been instrumental in transforming the Mari into one of the UBL’s most respected and competitive programs.

Arousi’s passion for player development, high standards and ability to build genuine relationships has created an environment where student-athletes are challenged to improve while feeling supported both on and off the court. Under his leadership, the program has grown significantly in professionalism and performance, culminating in the women’s historic run to the 2025 UBL Grand Final.

Supporting him is Assistant Coach Jay McCracken, whose energy, basketball knowledge and attention to detail play a major role in player development and game preparation. McCracken has become a key figure in maintaining the positive, team-first training environment that defines the Mari culture.

The support network for UniSC extends well beyond the coaching box.

Janya Cox, the program’s Mental and Physical Wellbeing Officer, Team Acupuncturist and Athlete Support specialist, provides recovery, injury management and athlete care throughout the season, while Team Manager Erin ensures the day-to-day operations of the program run smoothly behind the scenes.

Overseeing the broader growth of the program is UniSC Sports Engagement Coordinator and former UBL player Aleisha Howey, who manages operations, logistics, partnerships, marketing and game-day delivery. Her leadership has been central to expanding the visibility of UniSC Mari and creating opportunities for student-athletes beyond basketball through community engagement, work-integrated learning and high-performance support.

Together, the coaching and support staff have built a program that combines high-performance standards with genuine care for student-athlete wellbeing, giving the Mari a strong platform to continue growing as Queensland’s representative in the UBL.

With a strong core of returning student-athletes and proven performers across both squads, the UniSC Mari enter 2026 with experience, leadership and players capable of changing games at both ends of the floor.

James O’Hara

After claiming the UniSC Mari Men’s MVP award for the second consecutive year, James O’Hara enters the season as one of the program’s key leaders and most influential players.

His consistency, composure under pressure and ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor make him a player opposition teams will need to prepare for every week. Whether it’s creating scoring opportunities, making the right play late in games or leading by example, O’Hara sets the standard for the men’s program.

Bella Heath

Bella Heath returns after a standout 2025 campaign in which she was named UniSC Mari Women’s MVP and played a pivotal role in leading the team to the UBL Grand Final.

A proven performer in big moments, Heath brings leadership, experience and the ability to influence games across multiple areas of the floor. As one of the leaders of a strong returning core, she will once again be central to UniSC’s ambitions this season.

Victoria University (Inclusion Round)

The fixture the UniSC Mari are most excited for this season is Inclusion Round against Victoria University – a game that represents much more than the result on the scoreboard.

As part of the round, UniSC student-athletes will join the Suncoast Spinners on court to experience wheelchair basketball firsthand, celebrating inclusive sport and highlighting the incredible skill, strategy and athleticism involved in the game.

The round has become one of the most meaningful fixtures on the UniSC calendar, bringing together student-athletes, community participants and supporters in a shared celebration of inclusion and connection through sport.

And while the Mari are embracing the challenge of taking on VU, the players already have one eye on a future Queensland derby.

“UQ… when they join the UBL so we can have a local rival,” they added when asked who they want to take on in the UBL.

Until then, UniSC will continue proudly carrying the Queensland flag as the state’s sole representative in the UBL, turning every interstate clash into an opportunity to showcase Sunshine Coast basketball on the national stage.

For the UniSC Mari, the UBL experience is about far more than the final score.

Home games at UniSC Arena have become a celebration of basketball, community and student life on the Sunshine Coast.

In partnership with UniSC Safer Communities, the program delivers themed rounds including Mental Health, Indigenous, Inclusion and Pride, creating opportunities for education, connection and advocacy that extend well beyond the competition itself. Passionate local commentators, an energetic game-day MC and a packed arena help create an atmosphere that is both family-friendly and electric for players and spectators alike.

One of the traditions that best captures the spirit of the program is the UniSC Mari BBQ, where UniSport Nationals teams fundraise for their upcoming Perth campaigns while supporting their fellow Mari athletes. It is another example of how the program brings students together and strengthens the sense of belonging that sits at the heart of the Mari culture.

That connection is reinforced through cultural training and sport leadership workshops, where athletes come together to discuss the values they want the program to uphold and the legacy they want to leave for future Mari players, helping shape the identity of the program and strengthen the bond between teammates.

UniSC is also creating meaningful opportunities away from the court.

Students can gain real-world experience across sports management, event operations, photography, videography, social media, commentary, marketing, promotions and game-day operations, working alongside experienced staff while helping deliver a nationally recognised competition.

As Queensland’s only UBL program, the Mari know every season brings unique challenges, from interstate travel to the demands of balancing elite basketball with university life.

Those challenges have helped create a resilient, connected and ambitious group that proudly represents both UniSC and the Sunshine State.

With a fast, fearless style of play, a strong returning core and a program built on opportunity, connection and high performance, UniSC Mari are determined to keep building momentum and show that a regional university can continue to make a major impact on the national stage.

University: University of the Sunshine Coast

2025 Result: Men’s Eleventh Place | Women’s Grand Finalists

Claim to Fame: Queensland’s only UBL program, combining regional pride with national-level succes

Style of Play: Fast, fearless and bold

Rival to Watch: Victoria University (Inclusion Round). Future rivalry? The University of Queensland (when they join the UBL)

Players to Watch: James O’Hara, Bella Heath

2026 Goal: To build on their 2025 Grand Final breakthrough and continue establishing UniSC Mari as a national contender