Martin continuing to grow with 13-0 Bears

Featured image: Rob Sheeley/@robshots

Caitlyn Martin feels right at home four years into her time at Norths Bears where she's continuing to thrive under the coaching of Renae Garlepp, alongside MVP favourite Jaz Shelley and on a team yet to taste defeat this NBL1 East season.

After her time with the Centre of Excellence, Martin joined the Bears' NBL1 program for the first time back in 2023 having not even turned 18 yet. Fast forward to 2026 and she's a crucial member as point guard, shooter, scorer, leader and defender on an undefeated team.

While still only 20 years of age herself despite now being halfway a fourth NBL1 East season playing a big role at the Bears, and having also been at the Sydney Flames in the WNBL the past two seasons, Martin has turned herself into an invaluable member of the Norths team.

She is having a big say in their current 13-0 record too playing over 32 minutes a game while putting up 9.2 points and 5.2 assists while shooting at a terrific 40 per cent from behind the three-point line and getting up more than five attempts.

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While Martin is improving all the time and that's only natural for someone not having turned 21 yet and playing under a coach like Garlepp at not only the Bears, but in the WNBL with the Flames too, she's just focused on continuing to put in the hard work to keep getting better.

"I’m happy with how my game’s developing, but there is a lot more for me to learn and room for me to grow," Martin said.

"I’ve been fortunate to learn from some of the best coaches and players in the country, which has been huge in helping me improve my game as well as teaching me how to be a great leader on and off the court."

Creating a home with the Bears

Now that Martin is in her fourth season with the Bears, it is where she feels her basketball home is. Whether it's the teammates, the coaches, the support staff or volumeters, and indeed the fans, she couldn’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else in the NBL1.

"I played my first year of NBL1 at the Bears and ever since that point it has felt like home," Martin said.

"I felt so welcomed when I first made the move to the club and that has not changed over the past four years. I’m constantly surrounded by the best people and the best fans in the bear cave.

"I have a lot of love for the Bears and I’m so grateful for what the club and Renae have done for me in my time there."

13-0 season so far

Considering the Bears had won 35 of 40 regular season games over the past two seasons since winning the 2023 championship, it's not as if there was much improvement needed, but they certainly have got better now in 2026.

A lot of that is through the sheer brilliance of Jaz Shelley who deserves to be runaway MVP leader right now on the back of providing Norths with 25.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 4.9 steals including going 46 per cent from three-point range.

That's on the back of being part of the undefeated NBL1 South season at Geelong United in 2025 until the Grand Final. Now on top of playing with the Bears in the East, she's joined the Sydney Flames for WNBL27.

While Martin is proud of the whole team who are performing so well with the Bears, she doesn't want Shelley's brilliance glossed over.

"Yeah, it’s been a great start to the season. The group has worked incredibly hard to get to this point, but we know the job is far from finished. We’re enjoying the success, but we’re staying focused on continuing to improve each week," Martin said.

"Before I go onto the team, Jaz deserves every bit of hype that she gets, she is one heck of a teammate and an awesome person so we’re feeling really lucky that she is a part of the Bears.

"But apart from what Jaz brings to the table, the bond between the group is something really special and something that transfers onto the court so well.

"This just makes the basketball we play so fun because everyone is so selfless and wants to see each other succeed."

Taking motivation from last two years

In Martin's first season playing with the Bears back in 2023 they won the championship when they beat the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the Grand Final with her out there for 11 minutes in that memorable day.

The Bears have compiled a 35-5 record over the past two seasons since but saw their seasons ended in the finals firstly by the Sutherland Sharks in 2024 and then the Centre of Excellence in 2025.

Having been banging on the door the past two years and just coming up short in the finals is certainly serving some added motivation for Martin and her Bears teammates who have been through that in 2026.

"It definitely provides a lot of motivation. We were proud of what we achieved last season, but naturally there was some disappointment with how it ended," Martin said.

"I think it’s given the group extra drive to keep improving and not leave anything on the table this year.

"At the same time, we’re not dwelling on last season too much. Our focus is on what we can control now and continuing to build throughout the rest of the season."

Playing for, learning from coach Garlepp

Above anything else, Martin has no doubt that it's getting to play and train under coach Garlepp both with the Bears and at the Flames in the WNBL is a significant reason why she is continuing to improve so impressively.

After all, she's getting to spend 12 months a year having one of the best coaches, male or female, in the country guiding her and couldn’t be more thankful.

"You are not out of place saying that at all! It’s hard to put into words just how great it is to play under Renae," Martin said.

"Renae brings so much experience and knowledge to the table which allows her to get the best out of every player she coaches.

"She invests so much of her time and effort into every single player and you can tell that she really cares and wants everyone to succeed.

"She sets high standards, but also gives players a lot of confidence, and I think that’s a big reason why we’ve been able to have success under her."

Growing from playing/training year round

Not only has Martin continued to improve her game from the time she's getting during the week and on weekends to shine with the Bears in the NBL1 East, but also in between over the past two years as a development player in the WNBL with the Flames.

The added benefit has also been the coaching of Garlepp there as well. Martin is grateful for the WNBL opportunities she's already received at such a young age, and hopes that there is more to come.

"Looking back, the experience I've gained over the last few years with the Flames has been invaluable and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities I’ve had," Martin said.

"Being a part of the professional environment is like a whole different world and It’s such an awesome experience which has given me a lot of confidence in my game. I’m excited about what’s ahead and to keep improving in any way that I can."

Focusing on getting to 14-0

Now after the week off last weekend following their 13th straight win of the season at home to the Maitland Mustangs, the Bears resume their season this Saturday on the road to the Penrith Panthers.

It might be a Panthers team with just the one win for the season so far and having lost their past nine, but Martin is fully aware the Bears can't afford to take anything for granted against them especially on their home floor.

"You can’t underestimate any team, especially on their home court, so we’re certainly not taking Penrith lightly," Martin said.

"We’ll be focused on our own performance and making sure we play the way we know we can."