The Newcastle Falcons are excited to announce the signing of import forward/centre Mia Heide for the 2026 NBL1 East Women’s season.
Standing at 6’3”, Heide brings size, skill and versatility to the Falcons’ frontcourt. A native of Austin, Texas (USA) with Swiss dual citizenship, Mia arrives in Newcastle with an impressive basketball résumé spanning high school, NCAA Division I competition and is currently playing in the German DBB for BC Pharmaserv Marburg.
Heide spent four seasons at Tulane University, where she established herself as a dominant defensive presence, finishing her collegiate career with 169 blocked shots, ranking fifth all-time in program history. In 2022, she earned a fifth NCAA season at Duke University, further cementing her credentials at the highest level of college basketball.
Turning professional in the 2022–23 season, Heide made an immediate impact in the Sweden National League, averaging a double-double across the season. She has since become a proven performer in Australia, spending the past two seasons with the NBL1 East Penrith Panthers, where she averaged 14.42 points, 12.58 rebounds and 2.58 assists per game.
Mia’s physical presence, defensive instincts and experience at elite levels will add significant strength to the Falcons’ roster as the Club prepares for the 2026 NBL1 East campaign.
Falcons Women’s Head Coach Bernadette Schmidt expressed her excitement at securing Heide’s signature. “It is with great excitement that we welcome Mia Heide into the Falcon Family! This signing has been a long time coming for me and truly feels like the perfect fit for our program.”
“Two years ago, I saw Mia play for the first time in Australia. At the time, I knew very little about her before watching her debut game in the NBL1 East. I was immediately impressed—and I distinctly remember saying, “I like this player, and one day I hope to see her play for the Falcons.”
“When I was appointed Head Coach, one of my clear goals was to bring Mia into the Falcon Family. Not only is Mia an exceptionally talented basketball player, she is also a kind and humble individual. I’ve had the pleasure of watching her game continue to elevate over the past few years through her performances in the NBL1 and overseas in Germany.”
“What impressed me most during my initial conversations with Mia was her character—she is a genuinely good person who is just as invested, passionate and committed to the team environment as she is to her own development.”
“I’m incredibly excited about what lies ahead and the direction we can take as a team with the added talent, intelligence, and competitiveness that Mia brings to our group.”
Catch Mia and the Falcons in action at their 2026 season home opener on Saturday 28 March against the Norths Bears at Newcastle Basketball Stadium.
See the full 2026 NBL1 East Draw HERE.