The Country Basketball League (CBL) is back!
We’re only three weeks out from the season tip off as teams are set to battle it out for the championship. The 2021/2022 season schedule has officially been released today ahead of the CBL Round 1 tip off on 27-28 November.
The league continues to grow in 2021/2022 with four new associations – Macedon Ranges, Mansfield, Surfcoast and Wonthaggi - joining the ranks of our associations entering the eight CBL conferences.
Due to Victoria’s most recent lockdown, the CBL start date has been pushed back from its traditional starting time in October to late November.
Due to a late withdrawal from a South West association last week, the CBL South West Conference fixtures have been announced today on Tuesday 16 November.
Click here for CBL 2021/2022 Fixtures
All eight conferences will be in action in 2021/2022 as the South West Women’s Conference returns following a one-year hiatus due to lockdown restrictions and border closures.
CBL Manager Matt Royal said it was exciting to see CBL return in 2021/2022 and expected the competition to be high following a stop-start winter season for Victorian Country basketball associations.
“It’s amazing to see the Country Basketball League return in 2021/2022,” Royal said. “It’s been another challenging year for our country associations, but they’ve bounced back from lockdowns strongly to get 61 teams on court for the new season.
“To have all eight conferences back in action as well as our one of our South Australian CBL associations, Mt Gambier return after border restrictions last year, is a great indication.
“Everyone is keen to get senior representative basketball back under way following a challenging 2021 - the country basketball community is ready to see their league return and we’re excited to put on such a highly-anticipated CBL season.”
The upcoming CBL season will feature a total of 305 regular season games across a 10-week season. Two weeks of finals will be played following the regular season played on the weekends 5-6 February (Semi-Finals) and 12 February (Grand Finals).
NORTH EAST
Mansfield will make its season debut on the road, taking on Wangaratta in its inaugural CBL clash of 2021/2022. The Eagles will host their first home clash in the new year against Myrtleford.
North East Women’s reigning premiers Wodonga will host Myrtleford in a super Sunday afternoon at Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre
North East Men’s reigning premiers Seymour is set to roll down the highway to battle Wallan on the first Saturday of the season before hosting Mansfield in round two.
NORTH WEST
North West Men’s reigning premiers - in both the men’s and women’s conferences – Bendigo will unveil both of its championship banners on Saturday night at home against Mildura.
Following a round one bye Macedon Ranges will get its first CBL campaign under way with a away clash against Maryborough.
SOUTH WEST
Surfcoast is heading up the coast for its maiden CBL fixtures with the Chargers set to battle Warrnambool before returning home to unveil their incredible new home at Wurdi Baierr Stadium in a double-header against Mt Gambier.
GIPPSLAND
Wonthaggi will make its debut against the reigning CBL Gippsland Conference Women’s champions Warragul as part of a double-header to start the new season before hosting neighbours-now-rivals Korumburra in its first home double-header at Bass Coast Community Stadium.
Maffra will be out to defend its Gippsland Men’s Conference championship against Sale in yet another massive double-header on Saturday.
We will have plenty of Country Basketball League action across the next couple of weeks leading up to the start of the season! Keep an eye out for more as we head towards Round 1!
