The VJBL
The Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) incorporates competitions conducted state-wide and provides the highest level of junior competition in Victoria. The VJBL boasts 1248 representative teams from 54 associations across Victoria, with over 13,000 participants competing inside 80 plus venues on a Friday night.
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The Victorian Junior Championship League serves as a benchmark for excellence in competition and is the premier competition for junior teams nominated by affiliated associations. The aims of the VJBL are to:
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VJBL Tryouts
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Contact Us
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League History
Ever heard of Josh Giddey? What about Ezi Magbegor, Andrew Bogut, Jenna O’Hea? Well, all of these superstars started out their competitive basketball careers in the VJBL!
Without in any way attempting a history of the origins and development of the VJBL it is important to refer to some landmarks in the evolution of this vast enterprise.
In the early 1970’s the Girl’s Competition was integrated administratively and in government with the Women’s competition, while the Boy’s competition was ruled by a monthly meeting of Delegates plus a few members with portfolios.
There were 8-10 teams in A Grade with teams like Nunawading, Bulleen and Melbourne dominating with Coburg and St Kilda also powerful. Clubs (as opposed to Associations) could also participate; there were teams from Vermont, Eltham (not yet an Association) Mordialloc, Doncaster, Brighton, St Kilda PCYC, Varpas involved among others.
Numbers increased rapidly and two Regional Competitions were set up for the Boy’s competition one Central and one in the Eastern area with a top grade of sixteen teams. The one hour timing schedule was also introduced at this time and also included into the A Reserve.
Also around this time the Classic Invitational Junior tournament was introduced, with teams coming from regional Victoria and interstate.
Automatic team entry into the VJBL Competition was stopped and teams had to qualify through a grading process each year.
The Girls Commission had become independent and worked in with the Boys Commission to produce harmonious fixtures and worked towards common rules with the Boys Commission.
The Victorian Junior Basketball League was born on the 18th May 1999, after the amalgamation of the former Victorian Junior Girls Commission and the Victorian Junior Boys Commission. The logic behind the amalgamation was that there was a need for a unified and common junior competition.
From the humble beginnings to the wonderful state wide competition we get to see on display every Friday night today, the VJBL has crafted many of the top international basketball players of their time.
Taken from just 10 teams in the early 70’s, to over 1200+ teams in the 2000’s and beyond, the competition goes from strength to strength. The introduction of regional divisions of East and North West from 1997 and 1999 respectively provided the VJBL to broaden its horizons and continue to provide junior athletes in Victoria a chance to compete at a high level.
Resources
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