WITH 2022 less than two months away, sporting leagues across Australia are beginning their preparations for a return to some sort of normality. Following two years of interruptions and cancellations around not only Australia, but the world, sport has frequently taken a back seat with the safety of the public prioritised. Now, there is more hope for the short-term future of sport, and the planning of an uninterrupted return is in full swing. This is the case for Big V Basketball in Victoria, who recently announced the structure of their upcoming 2022 season.

Big V is one of Victoria’s biggest basketball leagues, with the organisation comprised of 12 leagues, with over 100 teams across these competitions, and has been incredibly successful since its inception in 1987. The league suffered some interruptions since the beginning of 2020, but was able to carry out some matches in this time, including most recently a 2021 season. With these hurdles overcome, this upcoming campaign looks to deliver a season that will return to its usual ways.

There has been a number of changes to the list of teams competing across the men’s and women’s competition, with several teams promoted to compete in one of the strongest basketball competitions in the state. In the senior men’s Championship competition, Camberwell have joined the league, now poised to face off against seven other sides for the title, while Surf Coast have joined the division two men’s competition.

In the senior women’s competition, Chelsea and Pakenham have been moved into the league, with the two sides eager to make their impact early.

Big V Basketball manager Jeff Downes expressed the organisation’s excitement to get things back on track.

“We’re excited to see Big V return in 2022,” Downes said.

“It’s been a challenging two years across Victorian basketball, but our associations, officials and teams are thrilled to get back and battle it out for the championship next year.

“On behalf of Big V and the Senior Representative Commission, I would like to welcome Gippsland United and Surf Coast to the league and we wish them the best of luck at the start of their senior basketball journeys.”

Casey and Keilor have both earned NBL1 South licenses, so they will be no longer competing in the Big V moving forward.

The two Championship competitions will kick off on the 19th of March, and will consistent of 18 rounds, with the four best performing teams making the finals come season’s end.

Photo: North Central Review