MIES (Switzerland) - An eclectic blend of players and teams from Australia are heading to the FIBA Masters Open 2026 and looking to get the party started on and off the court.
Making the trip across the globe, a total of five women's teams (40+, 45+, 50+, 60+, 65+) and eight men’s teams (45+, 50+, 50+ 3x3, 55+, 60+ Green, 60+ Gold, 65+ and 70+) will be departing from Down Under to make history and compete at the inaugural event. With most players traveling independently, often combining the journey with holidays or accompanied by friends and family, they will come together in Greece as a team. Taking into account the distance traveled, as well as the time and financial commitment involved, all will arrive determined to make the most of their experience.
The delegation is made up of many people who, in their heyday, knew and played both with and against national team players, but never got the opportunity themselves to represent Australia at a World Cup or Olympic Games.
For them and for the other long-time basketball enthusiasts that make up these teams, playing in the green and gold in an international tournament is something really special. Some players have American accents, having initially arrived in Australia on a one or two-year basketball contract, but then ended up staying for life. Among the group, there are some particularly notable players who will be landing at this first-ever FIBA Masters Open and will be eager to stamp their personalities on the competition. Andrew 'Parky' Parkinson will suit up for the 50+ men's team and is a veteran of 10 seasons in the National Basketball League as a sharp-shooter. He was a major contributor in two NBL championship wins with the Southeast Melbourne Magic, making the NBL All-Star team after being voted Most Improved Player in 1991.
The heart and soul of the 'HasBeens' Masters Basketball Club, he has inspired many others to join after continuing to play on, despite having battled cancer since 2019. 'Parky' is also the proud owner of a 50-point NBL game against a team that cut him just nine months earlier, and once had an astonishing 107-point haul in a masters game. Despite turning 59 years old, he is dedicated to continuing to play with his colleagues in the 50+ team. William 'Butch' Hays will appear for the 60+ men's team and grew up in South Central Los Angeles, before discovering excellence in basketball at high school and the University of California Berkeley. Drafted by the Chicago Bulls, he roomed with Michael Jordan before being cut and finding his way a couple of years later to the Adelaide 36ers where he introduced the Australian NBL to the concept of a big point guard.
Settling in Newcastle after 232 games in the NBL and numerous seasons with Maitland Mustangs, Butch plays on. He does this alongside using his Sociology degree and MBA as CEO of SNAP Programs, a business offering a wide range of programs and assistance to individuals and organizations in the disability sector. Gail 'Hendo' Henderson will appear with the 65+ women's team. Breaking into senior basketball as a teenager in 1976, she was already an accomplished player and a member of the Australian National Team squad when she became a founding member of the Brisbane Lady Bullets in 1982.
She went on to play 18 games for the Opals and spent 17 seasons in the Women’s National League for the Brisbane Lady Bullets and the Sydney Flames, including winning two championships for Sydney in 1993 and 1997. Elected a WNBL Life Member, 'Hendo' is also a member of the Basketball Queensland Hall of Fame. Still resident in Sydney, she remains active in the Manly Basketball Association and the Butterflies Masters basketball team. Mike Ellis is preparing to play for the 65+ men's team and is a member of the Hall of Fame for Basketball Western Australia and the Perth Wildcats. In fact, Ellis holds the distinction for having captained the Perth Wildcats in their first 11 years in the National Basketball League, including winning two championships in 1990 and 1991.
A true basketball junkie, after his playing days, he moved into coaching with the Perth Wildcats and then the Stirling Senators for many years. His master's career was interrupted by knee injuries, but now that he has successfully replaced both, he is ready to go at the FIBA Masters Open.
This Australian delegation will join thousands of other players from around the world stepping out from July 4 to 12 in the Attica and Corinth region of Greece and writing their names into FIBA history.
Open to basketball and 3x3 teams from around the world, with age rather than experience as the only criteria; it's set to be an exceptional week of competition, friendship, and most importantly, a celebration of how basketball has the power and unique ability to unite people.
Follow the FIBA Masters Open 2026 here.
FIBA