Palioyiannis Set For 500th Game

Waverley Falcons Head Coach Elias Palioyiannis will reach a major coaching milestone on this afternoon, set to take charge of his 500th senior representative game across NBL1/NBL1 South and the Big V.

Palioyiannis’ senior coaching journey began in the Big V in 2011 and has since grown into one of the most decorated resumes in Waverley Basketball history.

Across 15 seasons at senior level, Palioyiannis has led both the men’s and women’s programs through one of the most successful periods the association has seen.

His 500-game journey has included an NBL1 Women’s Conference Grand Final appearance in 2023, the 2024 NBL1 South Women’s Championship and NBL1 National Championship, alongside a State Championship Men runners up finish in 2017 and a Youth League One Men title in 2018.

The milestone also reflects more than two decades invested in Waverley’s representative pathway, with Palioyiannis playing a central role in the development of generations of Falcons athletes across junior championship teams, VC programs and senior basketball.

Waverley Falcons CEO and President Mike Bullock said Palioyiannis’ contribution to the association had been extraordinary.

“This coaching achievement by Elias is incredible!"

“He has been a loyal Waverley person since the age of 14. No doubt our best coach in my 42 years with Waverley.”

Sunday’s Kayo Freebies Game of the Week now provides a fitting stage for one of Waverley’s most significant figures to bring up game number 500 on home floor.