The WBA would like thank all athletes for attending the 2018/19 VJBL Werribee Devils tryouts. We would also like to thank all the coaches and volunteers who helped us during the tryouts.

These tryouts had record numbers, with 55 coaches applying and over 550 athletes attending.

It was a very competitive process and we are pleased to announce the WBA will field in excess of 40 teams in the 2018/19 VJBL season.

For interested athletes our U21 tryouts will be held in late October and early November.

Congratulations to all successful players and best of luck for the coming season. To the players who were unsuccessful in making a team, we sincerely thank you for your efforts and wish you the best of luck in your future basketball endeavors.

PLEASE NOTE:

1. U18.2G is seeking additional players to complete the team. Please email info@wyndhambasketball.com if you or someone you know is interested in playing.
2. Any team named without a head coach is not guaranteed to go ahead unless a suitable coach can be sourced.
3. Further assistant coaches will be confirmed after consultation with the head coaches. If you’re interested in being an assistant coach CLICK HERE.

Click on the age/gender to see full team lists:

U/12 Girls

U/12 Boys

U/14 Girls

U/14 Boys

U/16 Girls

U/16 Boys

U/18 Girls

U/18 Boys

IMPORTANT: Please read the following information in relation to your selection in a team:

1. All athletes will receive an acceptance email from their appointed team coach.
2. Athletes must reply and accept their position in the team before 5pm on Friday 5^th October. Failure to accept your position by the above date may result in your position on the team being given to another athlete.
3. In addition, to secure your place in the team, a Commitment Fee of $80 is due to be paid by Friday 5th October 2018.  Please note the Commitment Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
   CLICK HERE TO PAY THE COMMITTMENT FEE
4. Teams are not finalized until the start VJBL Grading Phase 2. Athletes may be moved between teams based on commitment, attitude, performance, attendance etc. OR if the selection panel deems it necessary due to issues with selections at the end of Grading Phase 1.
5. Teams that are yet to have a coach appointed are NOT guaranteed to play VJBL and will be withdrawn if a suitable coach cannot be sourced.
6. Information Sessions will be held for all parents during training on Sunday 7th October 2018, at 8:15am and 9:45am. These are important sessions that further explain the information in the handbook.
7. Uniform fit-out will be held on Sunday 14th October 2018, from 8:30am onwards:
   * Teams will be called in periodically over the morning, in order to minimise queues and maximise training time.
   * We are pleased to offer a 10% discount on our Starter Pack for all new players.  The Starter Pack costs $324 and includes playing singlet and shorts, training singlet and shorts, warm up top, hoodie and backpack.

Grant Duca has signed on as Werribee Devils Men’s Youth League head coach for the 2019 and 2020 Big V seasons.

Grant joins the WBA with vast coaching experience across all levels of basketball, including winning championships as a head coach in the VJBL and coaching in the Big V with Keilor Thunder.

With a Bachelor of Sports Coaching from Victoria University, involvement with Basketball Victoria’s elite pathway and current employment at Basketball Victoria as school tournament’s coordinator, Grant is primed to flourish in the Youth League role both coaching and developing our up-and-coming Big V players.

He holds an Association (level 2) coaching accreditation.

Grant identified the strong Big V program at Werribee as one of the key factors in attracting him to the role.

“Werribee has always been a great club and very tough competition when playing against them over the years.”

“The coaching staff at all levels are extremely experienced and knowledgeable and I’m thrilled to work closely with Senior Men’s coach Warren Estcourt and his staff to build a clear pathway for our juniors to transition into seniors,” said Grant.

He also said he was pumped to get into the new season.

“I’m looking forward to leading a group of talented athletes and helping guide them in their development.The youth league team has many skilled players and has been very competitive over the last few seasons, so I’m extremely excited and motivated for the challenge to push them further and see how far we can go.”

“I look forward to focusing on how we can succeed best as a group, by utilising all team members whilst still emphasising player development. My main goal is to develop the players as a team and also to assist in their individual growth,” Grant said.

If you are interested in playing our Youth Men’s Big V team for the 2019 season (under 23s) you can let Grant know by emailing info@wyndhambasketball.com

The WBA will make an announcement about the Women’s Youth League head coach shortly.

Werribee Basketball is pleased to introduce our new Basketball Development Officer (BDO), Jarrod Moore. The newly developed full-time role is designed to help grow the WBA’s grass roots basketball programs.

Bringing a wealth of basketball experience to the role, Jarrod will utilise his skills as a specialist in introducing new participants to the game.

Jarrod has enjoyed a number of years at Penrith and Districts Basketball Association (PDBA) as Participation Manager, coaching junior basketballers at state, representative and domestic levels and has a Masters in Education (Sports Coaching).

During his time at PDBA Jarrod oversaw huge growth in their Aussie Hoops program, fostered relationships with a large number of local schools, ran holiday camps for the association and transformed their U8s competitions to ensure it acted as an appropriate pathway to the U10s competition and beyond.

Jarrod said he was aware of the rapid growth of the Wyndham region and couldn’t wait to build on the existing WBA programs.

“Werribee Basketball has a strong reputation as a growing association and I really am elated to be joining the team,” Jarrod said.

“I have a passion for junior basketball and ensuring we continue to attract new people to our wonderful sport.”

WBA Business Manager Andrew Summerville welcomed Jarrod to the team and said he was set to play an important role in the ongoing growth of the association.

“Our grass roots programs are critical to the future of the WBA because they continually introduce new participants to basketball. We believe once children try our game they will love it, so getting them to take that first step is pivotal.”

“The BDO will work closely with our Player & Coach Development Manager Reece Potter and our Competition & Programs Manager Chris Clyne to ensure our player pathways are united throughout the association,” Andrew said.

“Jarrod’s experience in this space will prove to be a valuable asset for the WBA.”

Jarrod has commenced his role this week so make sure you say hello when you see him out and about.

Before the freshly named 2018/19 VJBL rep teams take the court, one team from last season has a very exciting week ahead.

Our 14.1Bs take on the best U/14 teams from across the country this week in the 2018 Club Championships at Kilsyth.

After a successful year together, the boys are one of just 24 teams vying to be crowned national champions.

Werribee’s Player & Coach Development manager Reece Potter said it was a terrific achievement to make the Club Championships.

“The 14.1B have been a really strong team all season and they deserve this chance to top off their hard work,” Reece said.

“I know the guys will represent Werribee to the best of their abilities and make us proud. The coaches have done a great job guiding the team. They’re a talented team, they’ve shown that throughout the season, now they get to show the country.”

“To have a team reaching this level of junior basketball is a great sign that our program is heading in the right direction,” Reece said.

The Club Championships run from October 1 – 6 and the team will play pool games across the first two days, before the 24 teams are split into two divisions – Championship and Shield.

Starting the tournament in Pool F the Devils will take on Brisbane Capitals, Northern Tasmania Tigers and Sydney Comets.

Adding to the thrill of playing in the Club Championships is having the event in Victoria, meaning family and friends will be able to attend.

“Playing in your home state adds a unique opportunity for the team and the WBA community. I encourage as many of our members as possible to head along to Kilsyth and support the team,” Reece said.

The U/14 Boys Club Championships is at Kilsyth Sports Stadium – 115 Liverpool Road, Kilsyth. Tickets can be purchased here – https://2018-boys-club-champs.in-tix.com

It’s grand final weekend in the VJBL and the Werribee Devils have 4 teams to cheer on – 16.3G, 18.1G, 18.2B and 18.6B. See below a brief snapshot of their successful seasons and chances in the big one.

Rags to riches (18.6Bs)

By coach Davin Kroger’s own admission, the 18.6Bs didn’t have the perfect start the season. “I was a new coach, we had a lot of new rep players, we had a few injuries and we needed to recruit players from domestic early in the year – but now look at us!”

The 18.6Bs have stormed through the finals series and take on Eltham in the grand final this weekend. Coach Davin described the team as a “rags-to-riches” story and was immensely proud of their achievements so far.

“The boys have really enjoyed the season. Our team mirrors the Wyndham region in many ways, we come from a variety of cultural backgrounds, but on court we are definitely one unit. The boys may not be technically perfect, but they’ll take the game on and have the potential to suddenly explode.

And the chances of causing an upset against the league leader this weekend?

“I reckon we’re a 50-50 chance. We haven’t beaten them this year, but last game was very tight and I believe we can turn it around.”

If their season is anything to go by, you wouldn’t put it passed the 18.6Bs!

Drawn together (16.3Gs)

There has been a sense of inevitability about the grand final match-up between Werribee’s 16.3Gs and Westgate. They have played three times throughout grading and the season for one win each and a draw. Not surprisingly, the draw was their last meeting.

Coach Renee Dayao said she has kept an eye on Westgate throughout the year.

“As a coach it has always been Westgate as the team to beat. They have been the benchmark for the season and while I’ve been keeping a close eye on them, I’m sure they have been thinking about our team as well.”

Renee said the 16.3Gs had endured their ups and downs throughout the year but were playing the right way at the right time.
“When it mattered the girls really knuckled down and got it done. I knew if we could play our way we could match it with any team and I feel like we have the momentum.

Given the history of the two teams this year, Renee certain of one thing.

“We’re in with a great shot, but it is definitely going to be a close one.”

Toppling the league leader (18.1Gs)

Australians love cheering on a sporting underdog and we have the chance to get behind another one this weekend when our 18.1Gs take on Melbourne Tigers in the grand final.

The Tigers have been the benchmark of the competition and coach Matt Stephens said it’s going to take a huge effort to topple them from their perch.

“They’ve been on top most of the season and they’ve beaten us in both of our games, but that’s not to say that we can’t beat them,” Matt said.

After a slow start the 18.1Gs have built momentum throughout the year, leading to a grand final berth.

“There hasn’t been one moment where we turned it around, just gradual improvement. For some of these girls it was the first time playing together so it has taken time to get everyone on the same page, but once we did, we’ve finished the season strongly,” Matt explained.

There’s just one more hurdle to clear for the girls.

“We haven’t beaten them through the season, but the games have been close, so I know if we play our best, we’re in with a shot!”

Boys to men (18.2Bs)

When 18.2Bs coach Rob Swann asked his players at the start of the season what their goals were he received a few blank looks.

“I wanted to put the responsibility on the boys. We started the season with a number of experienced basketballers but also some players who were raw.”

“It was really pleasing to see our captains lead the way and all the players really embrace their responsibilities,” Rob explained.

The development of individuals and the team as a whole has been the driving force behind their run to the grand final.

“The boys are like a little family now and they’ve really matured throughout the year,” Rob said.

That growth was highlighted in their second game for the season against grand final opponent Broadmeadows. After losing their first encounter comfortably, the team were in a winning position late in the return bout.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t hold it together late, but it proved we can match it with them and if we keep our heads we’re a good chance this weekend.”

Regardless of results, Rob said he was proud of the team’s efforts through the year.

“If these boys keep playing, the future is bright for Werribee Basketball senior program.”

The WBA is pleased to announce our Coaching Leads for the next two VJBL seasons are Mason Rogers and Jackie Gibson.

Jackie joins Werribee from Collingwood Basketball Association as Boys Coaching Lead, while Mason returns as Girls Coaching Lead.

Jackie enjoyed a distinguished Big V playing career with Altona, Hume City, Melbourne University and Collingwood – where she was captain of the senior side in 2017. She also played in the New Zealand Women’s National League for the Auckland Lady Hawks.

Alongside playing, she has developed her coaching resume with coaching stints as New Zealand U15 and U17 national talent coach, in the Big V, VJBL at VC level and as coaching lead of various age groups at Collingwood. Jackie has also been a Basketball Victoria NITP and State Performance Program Coach.

Jackie has acquired many hours of volunteer coaching work at every level of junior basketball and brings a wealth of experience to the role. She holds an Association (level 2) coach accreditation.

Impressively, during her time at the helm of Collingwood’s U16 Boys, Jackie became the first head coach in the association’s history to lead an U16s team to VC and her team is playing in the championship game this weekend.

Jackie said she couldn’t wait to hit the ground running in her new role at Werribee Basketball.

“I’m very excited about this new opportunity as Boy’s Coaching Lead and am looking forward to building new relationships across the club.”

“I am very passionate about the development of coaches and junior players, in helping to create pathways through to senior programs and continuing to foster an environment where Werribee’s juniors can thrive on and off the court,” said Jackie.

Mason returns as Girls Coaching Lead for the 2018/19 season after a successful year with our program in 17/18.

Mason is an experienced head coach having lead his own VJBL teams and our Youth League Women’s side in 2018. He has also coached in Basketball Victoria’s NITP and has been involved with junior state teams at number of levels. Mason also holds an Association (level 2) coach accreditation.

His time at Werribee was preceded by successful VJBL coaching stints at Bulleen and Nunawading, including at VC level.

Mason said he’s thrilled to be continuing in his role as Girls Coaching Lead and was excited about the direction of our program.

“I am really excited to see the progression the junior representative program makes heading into the 2018/19 season. After a year of implementing our club curriculum and creating consistent teaching across the board, I truly believe that we will see a huge improvement in individual player development, naturally leading to our teams being more successful across the board,” Mason said.

Werribee Basketball is pleased to open registrations for the 2018/19 Werribee Devils Junior Representative Tryouts.

CLICK HERE to access the 2018/19 Werribee Devils Junior Representative Tryouts Information Pack

Werribee Basketball is pleased to announce our 2018/19 VJBL coaches for the Werribee Devils Junior Representative Program.

Werribee Basketball Association received over 50 applications to coach in the program this year and we thank all who applied. WBA would like to congratulate all coaches on their appointments and thank them for their commitment to the Werribee Basketball Junior Representative Program.

Click the below links to see age-level and gender coaches:

U12 GIRLS

U12 BOYS

U14 GIRLS

U14 BOYS

U16 GIRLS

U16 BOYS

U18 GIRLS

U18 BOYS

U21 GIRLS

U21 BOYS

Please note: The WBA does not allocate coaches to specific teams (e.g. U12.3 boys) until the end of the Representative Tryout process. This is to ensure that we uphold the highest amount of integrity and transparency in our selection and tryout process. This method is also in place to protect coaches against scrutiny surrounding selection of teams being based on who they coached last year or players they have built relationships with. Finally it protects our parent coaches against accusations that their child only made the team because the parent is the coach.

Questions can be directed to the Player & Coach Development Manager, Reece Potter.

Phone: (03) 9742 5440    OR    Email: reece.potter@wyndhambasketball.com

Werribee Basketball is pleased to announce a new coach education initiative for domestic coaches.

As part of Werribee Basketball’s investment in the development of coaches at all levels, the new Domestic Coach Education Clinic provide FREE high quality coach education to ALL Werribee Basketball domestic club coaches.

The Domestic Coach Education Clinics will run once each term on a wide-range of topics.

The first clinic topic will be focusing on shooting technique and finishing.

Coaches attending the clinic will learn to teach:

• The set/load/release components of shot technique 
• The Shadow shooting and form shooting series 
• Game-like and competitive shooting drills 
• Layups, dead ball moves and adaptive finishing 

Clinic #1 Details:

Topic – Shooting technique and finishing

Date and time – Sunday 9^th September from 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Location – Eagle Stadium, Werribee (Court 8)

Cost – FREE

Coaches attending the session must register online HERE

Questions can be directed to the Player & Coach Development Manager.

reece.potter@wyndhambasketball.com OR (03) 9742 5440

As junior domestic competition returns from the school holiday break, you may notice a spring in the step of Hoppers Crossing Junior Basketball Club players and officials.

During the break, the club was named Werribee Basketball’s domestic club of the year at our Gala Dinner.

Hoppers’ long-time president Mario Costa said the club was thrilled to receive the award.

“It was great to have the club acknowledged for the efforts we have made in transitioning from the smallest club in 2012, to today being the biggest club in the Wyndham area.”

“Our club had a great night at the Gala Dinner. I hope this will be an event that all clubs support next year and in the years to come, as our great domestic competition will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in a couple of years.”

Mario, who joined the club as a parent in 2009, has been president since 2013. He believes there were a number of factors that made Hoppers the great club it is today.

“I’m proud to say that we have an awesome group of children playing for and representing our basketball club.”

“We strive to provide every child with the necessary life skills gained through team sports. We also want to ensure our club is seen as a strong and competitive club that provides pathways for every player, opportunities for development and stability for our long serving, loyal members.”

Mario said all domestic clubs have contributed to the current strength of our competition and Werribee’s representative program.

“Our junior domestic competition has continuously strengthened in both numbers and talent, which has been reflected in the growth of the representative program. It’s great that our local domestic clubs and coaches are contributing to the development of the next generation of young basketballers.