VWBL Wraps up Standout Season

20th October 2026
Author: Maree DeGeorge

Melbourne, VICTORIA – New players, breakthrough wins and back-to-back champions gave the Victorian Wheelchair Basketball League (VWBL) plenty to celebrate as its second season wrapped up at the State Basketball Centre last Saturday 17 October. 

Two semi-finals, the Grand Final and season award presentations brought the wheelchair basketball community together to recognise achievements across the league. 

Building on its inaugural season in 2025, this year’s competition featured six teams and 85 players, coaches and team managers. Kilsyth, Frankston, Geelong, Diamond Valley, Bendigo and the Western Melbourne Development Team took to courts across metropolitan and regional Victoria, representing their associations and developing their skills along the way. 

Throughout the season, experienced athletes helped guide their teammates, younger players gained valuable court time and newcomers experienced organised wheelchair basketball for the first time. 

For the Western Melbourne Development Team, its first season was a chance to learn and grow together. With Georgie Gott providing experienced leadership and a roster that included two players aged just 12, the team showed significant improvement from Round 1 through to Round 4. 

Diamond Valley also had plenty to be proud of. After finishing 2025 without a win, the Eagles recorded four regular-season victories and earned a semi-final appearance, a wonderful reward for the team’s hard work. 

Across the competition, athletes returning from national leagues and junior championships brought fresh experience to their teams, with players stepping into leadership roles and helping others find their feet. 

Sheena Atkin, Basketball Victoria’s Diversity and Inclusion Manager, said there was plenty to celebrate in the league’s second year. 

“It’s been fantastic to see players grow in confidence and teams improve as the season has gone on. For some, this was their first experience of organised wheelchair basketball. For others, it was a chance to take on a bigger role or build on what they achieved last year. 

“Diamond Valley reaching the semi-finals after going without a win last season, and the improvement we’ve seen from Western Melbourne, show why these opportunities matter. There’s a lot to be proud of across the league.” 

Saturday’s finals saw Kilsyth defeat Geelong United 75–21, while Frankston secured a 56–30 win over Diamond Valley to join the Cobras in the Grand Final. 

Kilsyth then claimed the championship with a 74–34 victory over the Blues, completing a remarkable second consecutive unbeaten season. The Cobras have not lost a game since the VWBL began in 2025. 

Frankston finished as runner-up, with captain Sebastian Welsh also celebrating an outstanding individual season. Welsh shared overall Most Valuable Player honours with Kilsyth’s Eliza Stauffer after the pair finished equal on votes and led the league in scoring with an average of 22.1 points per game. 

The award presentations recognised contributions across four teams. Frankston’s Jude Ford and Geelong’s Chithic Machar joined Stauffer and Welsh as classification MVP recipients, Bendigo’s Max Groves was named Defensive Player of the Year, and Kilsyth’s Amanda Carter received Coach of the Year honours. 

Making the season possible took commitment from people across the basketball community. Basketball Victoria thanks the association staff, coaches, team managers and volunteers who gave their time to support teams through travel, preparation and long competition days. 

Thank you also to the referees and scoretable officials for their contribution throughout the season, and to the hosts in Bendigo, Geelong, Kilsyth and at the State Basketball Centre for welcoming teams and showcasing wheelchair basketball in their communities. 

From players taking part in their first games to teams celebrating how far they have come, the 2026 season showed what regular opportunities to play can make possible. Congratulations to everyone who helped make it a season to remember. 

2026 VWBL Season Awards 

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