Kym Cheeseman
7 August 2025
Victoria- Following record-breaking 2025 tournaments, that welcomed over 300 boys’ and girls’ teams from across regional Victoria, Basketball Victoria is excited to unveil the host venues and dates for the 2026 Junior Country Championships (JCCs).
In 2026, the Championships will be staged across three regional centres - Shepparton, Bendigo, and Ballarat. Each location will host different age divisions continuing Basketball Victoria’s commitment to growing the game and strengthening community sport across regional centres.
Shepparton is set to host the U16/U18 Division 3, 4 and 5 Championships on 14-15 March 2026, bringing more than 100 teams and over 2,000 visitors to the region. Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Shane Sali said the event would deliver both social and economic benefits.
“It is fantastic to see the Greater Shepparton Basketball Association win this event after last hosting a Junior Country Championship in 2019,” said Cr Sali.
“Hosting top sporting events like this, the pinnacle for junior basketballers, is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our region. We’re excited to welcome competitors, officials, families, and visitors for two days of top-class basketball.”
President of the Greater Shepparton Basketball Association (GSBA), Peter Sutherland, praised the strong local partnerships that helped secure the tournament.
“Our working relationship with local businesses and organisations has strengthened so much in the past two years that we are united in our objectives in advancing sports events in the region,” Sutherland said.
“We are doing things to advance the GSBA brand and participation at all levels, right through to the elite pathways.
“These events connect people from different parts of the state. One of our former players, Jordan Michel, connected with Dyson Daniels through these pathways – and their friendship continues today. We hope this tournament inspires the next generation of players.”
Basketball Victoria’s Country Competitions Officer, Sarah Szczykulski, welcomed the opportunity to highlight different parts of regional Victoria through the tournament.
“We're super excited to be able to take the JCCs to the Northeast region and showcase Shepparton and the surrounds to the broader basketball community.”
“It's fantastic to be able to continue to showcase some great stadiums across Country Victoria with Bendigo and Ballarat again hosting some of our best up and coming junior country players.”
Red Energy Arena in Bendigo will once again host two of the tournaments:
- U16/U18 Division 1 and 2, 14-15 February 2026
- U12 Championships, 17-19 April 2026
David Elliott, CEO of Red Energy Arena, said the venue is proud to continue its long-standing partnership with Basketball Victoria.
“We’ve been hosting these tournaments since 2017 and we’re pumped to be doing it all over again in 2026,” Elliott said.
“We’re elevating the JCCs atmosphere in 2026 with added engagement and entertainment opportunities for players, coaches and families so they can make the most of their time both on, and off the court.”
Bendigo Basketball Association President Ben McCauley echoed this excitement, “Bendigo Basketball has a proud history of supporting junior basketball development. These tournaments provide valuable opportunities for regional players to compete at a high level, and we’re excited to once again welcome teams and supporters from across the state.”
The Championships will wrap up in Ballarat, which will host the U14 Championships from 11–13 April 2026, further recognising the city’s reputation as a key regional sporting hub.
Basketball Victoria looks forward to another exciting year of junior country basketball and thanks all host partners, local associations, councils and volunteers who help bring the Junior Country Championships to life.
For more information about the 2026 JCC tournaments click below.
