6 November, 2025
Kym Cheeseman
Victoria, Melbourne - Basketball Victoria is excited to announce that team nominations are now open for the 2026 Junior Country Championships (JCCs)!
Country Associations from across Victoria will soon battle it out for the ultimate title of 2026 Junior Country Champions. The Championships are always a highlight on the country basketball calendar and a fantastic way to wrap up the representative season, and 2026 promises to be no exception.
The 2026 tournament will be hosted across Bendigo, Ballarat, and Shepparton, showcasing some of the best young talent from regional Victoria. Notably, Shepparton will return as a host venue for the first time since 2019, adding extra excitement to the upcoming season.
Basketball Victoria JCC Championship Manager, Sarah Szczykulski said, “The tournament season is well underway, and teams have begun looking at who they need to compete against to rise up the rankings and show why they should be considered for higher divisions."
“Each year the JCCs have grown, with new associations joining and others making their return. A trend I hope to see continued into 2026 and for associations to keep showcasing their local talent to the rest of the state.”
The 2025 Championships delivered plenty of thrilling matchups, including multiple overtime finishes, none more exciting than the U18 Boys Division 1 Grand Final, where Ballarat clinched victory in a nail-biting finish.
Teams looking to compete in 2026 can now submit their nominations via the Team Nomination Form. All nominations must be submitted by Sunday, 23 November 2025.
2026 Championship Schedule
- Under 16 & Under 18 Division 1 & 2: 14–15 February – Bendigo
- Under 16 & Under 18 Division 3 & 4: 14–15 March – Shepparton
- Under 14: 11–13 April – Ballarat
- Under 12: 17–19 April – Bendigo
For more information about the Junior Country Championships, please contact Sarah Szczykulski, JCC Championship Manager;
? sarah.szczykulski@basketballvictoria.com.au
