BASKETBALL Victoria Country (BVC) is still progressing towards a junior Country Basketball League (CBL) to start alongside the senior competition in October.
Shepparton has nominated male and female junior representative sides from under-12s to under-18s along with other associations in the North East region, however doubt still surrounds the upcoming basketball season.
Typically in country Victoria, local basketball associations select squad or representative teams and head off to association tournaments on many weekends during the summer.
“It has been extremely difficult for associations to undertake any planning around local tournaments with restrictions on how many people can be at a venue even if we get to stage two restrictions,” BVC general manager, David Huxtable said.
According to Huxtable, the good news is the game is growing in popularity in Victoria.
“Basketball participation is growing at around four percent annually, with over 52,000 weekly participants in 2019,” he said.
“The North East area is particularly strong in both participation and talent with many athletes, coaches and referees selected into BVC Elite Programs.
“The area also supports senior elite participation from the Shepparton Gators, North East Bushrangers and Albury Wodonga Bandits in the various high-level state and national competitions.
“It is important that if COVID-19 restrictions allow, we continue the development of our participants.”
