28th August 2026
Author: Maree DeGeorge
Melbourne, VICTORIA – The Victorian Wheelchair Basketball League (VWBL) will return for its second season in 2026, providing athletes with consistent competition and a clear pathway to progress within the sport.
Following a successful inaugural season, the league will again bring together wheelchair basketball athletes from across Victoria for four home-and-away rounds before culminating in finals at the State Basketball Centre on Saturday 17 October.
Basketball Victoria Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Wheelchair Basketball, Elliott Knight, said the league provided an important link between community participation and higher levels of competition.
“The VWBL connects community wheelchair basketball with the next stages of the pathway,” Knight said.
“For many athletes, it is their first opportunity to play in a consistent, structured competition. From there, they can continue to develop through our state programs, national championships and potentially the national league.
“In our second season, we’re already seeing returning players grow in confidence and ability, while new athletes are being given the opportunity to take their next step. That is exactly what this league was created to support.”
The 2026 season will tip off in Bendigo on Saturday 12 September, followed by rounds in Geelong, Kilsyth and at the State Basketball Centre. Each cluster round will feature games across three timeslots, allowing the full round to be played at one venue.
The cluster-round format proved successful in the league’s first season, creating structured and regular competition for athletes progressing from association and community wheelchair basketball programs. It also opened further development opportunities for coaches stepping into head coaching roles and referees looking to build their experience in wheelchair basketball.
The league will remain at six teams in 2026 with the introduction of the Western Melbourne Development Team, administered by Basketball Victoria and featuring developing athletes primarily from Melbourne’s western region.
The new team supports Basketball Victoria’s focus on growing wheelchair basketball in an area where opportunities have historically been limited. It will give emerging athletes, including those with limited competitive experience, the chance to play regularly and continue their development.
Kilsyth will enter the season as reigning champions. Basketball Victoria also acknowledges and thanks Wyndham for its contribution to the inaugural season, in which it reached the Grand Final.
While recognised as an adult competition, the VWBL is open to younger athletes ready to take the next step, with this season’s youngest registered player just 12 years old.
The competition forms an important part of Victoria’s connected wheelchair basketball pathway. Athletes can begin through community and association-based wheelchair programs before progressing to the VWBL, Basketball Victoria’s State Development and Pathways programs, the National Junior Wheelchair Championships and national league opportunities with the Victorian Wonders and Victorian Marvels.
The involvement of national league athletes in the VWBL also gives emerging players the opportunity to compete alongside and learn from some of Victoria’s most experienced wheelchair basketballers.
With returning athletes building on their first season and new players entering the competition, the VWBL’s second year is about strengthening what was established in 2025 and continuing to create meaningful opportunities to play, develop and progress.
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Key dates
2026 VWBL season
- Round 1: Saturday 12 September – Bendigo
- Round 2: Saturday 19 September – Geelong
- Round 3: Saturday 3 October – Kilsyth
- Round 4: Saturday 10 October – State Basketball Centre
- Finals: Saturday 17 October – State Basketball Centre
Games will be played at 10am, 12.30pm and 3pm across the home-and-away rounds.
Find out more about the Victorian Wheelchair Basketball League and explore wheelchair basketball opportunities across Victoria
