WITH the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) grading phase done and dusted, 20 teams per age group and gender now remain heading into the season proper. Teams from all over Victoria make up the competition with sides hailing from country and metro regions. We take a look at which sides have fared the best heading into the season in the Under 16 Boys and Girls, along with the Under 18 Boys and Girls divisions.

Hawthorn dominated at all levels with five sides making it through to the final stages. In fact, the Magic proved so strong in the Under 16 Boys that they managed two sides while Casey also flexed their muscles registering five teams – two in the Under 16 Girls. Both Nunawading and Melbourne impressed to produce five sides apiece across the four categories in focus.

Out of the 26 sections named, 11 managed four teams with the likes of Sandringham and Keilor featuring in each category while Eltham secured two Under 16 Girls teams. Altona, Pakenham, Ringwood, Sunbury and Whittlesea all managed a sole team with the rest of the associations recording one or more teams in each category.

VJBL Operations Manager Adrian Campbell highlighted how difficult last year was for the associations, but paid credit to their commitment to the cause and most importantly outlined the level of excitement he has surrounding the upcoming fixture.

“It’s been an impressive season already considering the significant work it took to get teams back on court for January this year,” Campbell said. “Our VJBL associations have made it happen on short notice and produced some brilliant basketball to qualify their teams into the Victorian Championship competition.”

“Whether they’re competing for VC titles or showing their skills in the VJBL divisions, we’d like to wish all the teams the best of luck for the season ahead.” 

Round 1 is officially set to kick off on Friday night with all sides eager to get their campaign underway and produce some high quality basketball for all to enjoy. The grand final will be played on Saturday, September 18, just one night after the final games have been played.

2021 VJBL VC TEAMS – FINAL LIST  

Altona:  U18 Girls
Ballarat: U16 Boys, U16 Girls, U18 Girls
Bendigo: U16 Boys, U18 Boys
Bulleen: U16 Boys, U16 Girls, U18 Girls, U18 Boys
Camberwell: U18 Boys, U18 Girls
Casey: U16 Girls, U16.2 Girls, U16 Boys, U18 Girls, U18 Boys
Dandenong: U16 Girls, U16 Boys, U18 Girls, U18 Boys
Diamond Valley: U16 Boys, U16 Girls, U18 Girls
Eltham: U16 Boys, U16 Girls, U16.2 Girls, U18 Boys
Frankston: U16 Girls, U16 Boys, U18 Girls, U18 Boys
Geelong United: U16 Girls, U16 Boys, U18 Boys
Hawthorn: U16 Girls, U16 Boys, U16 Boys 2, U18 Girls, U18 Boys
Keilor: U16 Girls, U16 Boys, U18 Girls, U18 Boys
Kilsyth: U16 Girls, U16 Boys, U18 Boys, U18 Girls
Knox: U16 Boys, U16 Girls, U18 Boys, U18 Girls
Latrobe City Energy: U16 Girls, U16 Boys
McKinnon: U16 Boys, U18 Girls, U18 Boys
Melbourne: U16 Girls, U16.2 Girls, U16 Boys, U18 Girls, U18 Boys
Nunawading: U16 Girls, U16 Boys, U18 Boys, U18 Girls, U18.2 Girls
Pakenham: U18 Boys
Ringwood: U18 Girls
Sandringham: U16 Girls, U16 Boys, U18 Girls, U18 Boys
Southern Peninsula: U18 Boys
Sunbury: U18 Girls
Waverley: U16 Boys, U16 Girls, U18 Girls, U18 Boys
Whittlesea: U18 Boys