The West Yorkshire Hawks are delighted to confirm that Millie Oates has re-signed with the club ahead of the 2026/27 season, returning for her second campaign in Neon and Navy.

One of the driving forces behind the relaunch of NBL women’s basketball in West Yorkshire, Oates played a key role in the Hawks’ inaugural women’s season. Her energy, determination and relentless work ethic made her an ever-present on the court, setting the standard for the team’s first year and helping lay the foundations for the future.

With a new season on the horizon, Oates is eager to build on that momentum as she returns to a squad full of optimism and ambition.

Speaking after re-signing with the club, Oates said, “I’m really excited to be back playing for the West Yorkshire Hawks this season. Last year was a fantastic experience both coaching and playing, and I’m looking forward to focusing on my role as a player this year. We have a great group of girls, an exciting new coach, and I can’t wait to get started, keep improving, and see what we can achieve together this season. Let’s make it a good one!”

New Head Coach Marc Holmes is equally pleased to have Oates back in the squad and believes the opportunity to focus solely on playing will help her reach another level.

Holmes said, “It is great to have Millie back. I know combining coaching and playing last season made it a challenging season but I really hope that with her being able to fully focus on playing she will take her game to even higher levels.”

The Hawks women’s squad returns to pre-season training next week as preparations begin for the 2026/27 campaign, with the team set to return to the court in September. With Oates back in Neon and Navy and excitement building around the squad, the foundations are in place for another exciting chapter in the growth of women’s basketball in West Yorkshire.

Stay tuned to the club’s official channels for more player announcements and all the latest news as the countdown to the new season continues.