Werribee Basketball is pleased to open registrations for the 2018/19 Werribee Devils Junior Representative Tryouts.
What is VJBL & what is Representative Basketball?
The Melb Utd. Victorian Junior Basketball League incorporates competitions conducted state-wide and provides the highest level of junior competition in Victoria. VJBL boasts almost 1300 representative teams from over 55 associations across Victoria. The competition includes the U12 to U21 age groups, in a graded structure from Victorian Junior Championship League to the Regional Competition. The Victorian Junior Championship League serves as a benchmark for excellence in competition and is the premier competition for junior teams in Victoria. The VJBL has been a key pathway for many of Australia’s best players including Andrew Bogut, Penny Taylor, Andrew Gaze, Ben Simmons, Elizabeth Cambage and Michelle Timms just to name a few.
Playing representative basketball requires attendance at 2 weekly practice sessions and a Friday night game. All Werribee Devils VJBL Representative Teams have coaches that are suitably qualified, holding a minimum level one coaching accreditation and a mandatory working with children check. All coaches work under the guidance of the Player & Coach Development Manager and the Representative Coaching Leads. Werribee Basketball aims to have a program that strongly aligns with the Basketball Victoria and Basketball Australia player development pathway, and provides opportunities for all players to play at the highest level they can achieve.
Werribee Basketball encourages all players looking to take their game to the next level to attend these tryouts.
Rep Tryouts Dates & Times
| U/12 boys & girls (Athletes born 2008 – 2010)
Session 1 – Friday 14th September, 7:00pm – 8:30pm Session 2 – Sunday 16th September, 8:00am – 10:00am Session 3 – Sunday 23rd September, 8:00am – 10:00am |
| U/14 boys & girls (Athletes born 2006-2007)
Session 1 – Sunday 16th September, 11:00am – 1:00pm Session 2 – Friday 21st September, 7:00pm – 8:30pm Session 3 – Sunday 23rd September, 11:00am – 1:00pm |
| U/16 boys & girls (Athletes born 2004-2005)
Session 1 – Friday 14th September, 9:00pm – 10:30pm Session 2 – Sunday 16th September, 2:00pm – 4:00pm Session 3 – Sunday 23rd September, 2:00pm – 4:00pm |
| U/18 boys & girls (Athletes born 2002-2003)
Session 1 – Sunday 16th September, 5:00pm – 7:00pm Session 2 – Friday 21st September, 9:00pm – 10:30pm Session 3 – Sunday 23rd September, 5:00pm – 7:00pm |
| PLEASE NOTE U/21 tryout dates are TBC (Athletes born 1999-2001) |
Representative Age Groups for the 2018/19 VJBL season
U12 – players born 2008 to 2010
U14 – players born 2006 to 2007
U16 – players born 2004 to 2005
U18 – players born 2002 to 2003
U21 – players born to 1999 to 2001
*All players trying out must complete the online registration form
*Please ensure all information is accurate and correct
Cost of attending tryouts
The tryout registration fee is $15.
Information for players trying out from other associations
All players trying out from other associations must provide a signed “Permission to Train” (PTT) form. If this form is not provided, you will not be allowed to tryouts. This form can be found on the VJBL website.
Registering on the day of tryouts
We are encouraging all athletes to register prior to their first tryout, however if athletes are unable to do so, they can register on the day. Registration on the day must be paid for by a credit or debit card. No cash will be accepted on the day.
Information for players unable to attend tryouts
*Please note that attendance of at least 2 tryouts is required to be selected in a team.
*Any player unable to attend 2 or more tryouts MUST apply for an exemption by emailing reece.potter@wyndhambasketball.com. Exemptions will be granted at the discretion of the WBA Player & Coach Development Manager.
*Any player unable to attend 2 or more try outs MUST still register and pay online.
*Players who are injured are still required to register and attend tryouts to observe. Injured players must provide a medical certificate and apply for an exemption as above.
*Players who are ill are not required to attend tryouts while ill, but must still register and pay online. Players who are ill must provide a medical certificate and apply for an exemption as above.
| LEVEL | DATES | IMPACT |
| VJL 5 and below | Grand finals on Saturday 15th September |
Athletes available for 2 or more tryout dates and therefore are not impacted |
| VJL 1-4 | Grand finals on Friday 14th September | Athletes available for 2 or more tryout dates and therefore are not impacted |
| VC & VC reserve | Finals on Friday 14th September Grand finals on Friday 21st September |
Where athletes are impacted, exemptions can be applied for as per the normal process |
Please note – more information will be emailed to athletes/parents once they are registered and prior to the tryouts commencing.
Questions can be directed to the Player & Coach Development Manager, Reece Potter.
Email: reece.potter@wyndhambasketball.com OR Phone: (03) 9742 5440
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:
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:
Clinic #1 Details:
Topic – Shooting technique and finishing
Date and time – Sunday 9th September from 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Location – Eagle Stadium, Werribee (Court 8)
Cost – FREE
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.
This post is just to let everyone know the dates as early as possible. Registrations and other information will become available at a later date.
| 2018/19 VJBL Tryout Dates |
| U/12 boys & girls (athletes born 2008 – 2010)
Session 1 – Friday 14th September (7:00pm – 8:30pm) Session 2 – Sunday 16th September (8:00am – 10:00am) Session 3 – Sunday 23rd September (8:00am – 10:00am) |
| U/14 boys & girls (athletes born 2006 – 2007)
Session 1 – Sunday 16th September (11:00am – 1:00pm) Session 2 – Friday 21st September (7:00pm – 8:30pm) Session 3 – Sunday 23rd September (11:00am – 1:00pm) |
| U/16 boys & girls (athletes born 2004 – 2005)
Session 1 – Friday 14th September (9:00pm – 10:30pm) Session 2 – Sunday 16th September (2:00pm – 4:00pm) Session 3 – Sunday 23rd September (2:00pm – 4:00pm) |
| U/18 boys & girls (athletes born 2002 – 2003)
Session 1 – Sunday 16th September (5:00pm – 7:00pm) Session 2 – Friday 21st September (9:00pm – 10:30pm) Session 3 – Sunday 23rd September (5:00pm – 7:00pm) |
| Note: U/21 tryouts are TBC and will be held later in the year |
After extensive consultation with key stakeholders throughout the WBA, we have decided to hold our tryouts earlier this year.
This approach provides our athletes and coaches with the best chance to create a positive team environment prior to the commencement of grading phase 1. This extra time together will greatly help the preperation of each team and allow them to perform at the best of their ability, ensuring they grade as high as possible.
It also provides our athletes a legitimate 2-week break before commencing pre-season. This benefits our players physical and mental prepareration for the season ahead.
On top of the on-court benefits for players and coaches, parents/guardians also get more time to organise logistics, including sourcing the required uniform and attire.
| LEVEL | DATES | IMPACT |
| VJL 5 and below | Grand finals on Saturday 15th September |
Athletes available for 2 or more tryout dates and therefore are not impacted |
| VJL 1-4 | Grand finals on Friday 14th September | Athletes available for 2 or more tryout dates and therefore are not impacted |
| VC & VC reserve | Finals on Friday 14th September Grand finals on Friday 21st September |
Where athletes are impacted, exemptions can be applied for as per the normal process |
A wonderful evening at Eagle Stadium on Saturday night as the Devils went pink for our Youth and Senior Women’s double header.
The night was a celebration and raised much-needed funds for The McGrath Foundation, raising money for breast cancer nurses across Australia.
Werribee Basketball’s High Performance Camp was a great success on Friday, with participants and parents alike raving about the high-intensity clinic.
The first of our four School Holiday Camps this July, High Performance Camp gave VJBL representative players the chance to test their skills using draft combine-style testing with professional testing company Primco Testing Solutions.
Atheletes also had a terrific session with NZ Olympic Coach Kennedy Kereama. Coach Kereama stayed throughout the camp and provided invaluable advice that will help participants develop their on-court skills.
Parents and athletes have already started to let us know what they thought of the camp.
Participant Tyler Evans’ mum Sonia said:
“My son Tyler really enjoyed the high performance camp. We’re stoked to hear that he got the second highest in the vertical leap! It was well run and gives my child a starting point on where he needs to to improve on his skills”
Participant Leo Li said:
“It was fun and inspiring! It taught me a lot of stuff. It was very enjoyable! Epic!”
Josiah Beaten’s father Hugh said:
“My boy was so happy with the way you guys ran it. As a parent who has sat through a few of these and having watched some of yours today I was impressed with the drills you were getting the players to do. More please.”
Devean Lyons’ parents Megan and Clayton said:
“Devean had an awesome day, camp was action packed and well run, look forward to next week’s shooting camp. Job well done WBA! #welovewerribeebasketball”
There are still some places available for our three Holiday Camps coming up in the second week in the holidays: Domestic Shooting on Tuesday, Elite Shooting on Wednesday and Game Play Super Camp on Friday.

Our school holiday camps were again a huge success. Here are some photos from the camps:
Any questions about future camps can be directed to the Player & Coach Development Manager, Reece Potter.
Email:
reece.potter@wyndhambasketball.com
Phone: (03) 9742 5440
Our brand new t-shirt design are now available!
The t-shirts are $45 for a pack of two (one grey, one charoal) and you can buy them this weekend!
We will be in Eagle Stadium’s foyer on Saturday from 9am until 4pm and at the uniform shop on Sunday between 9am and 11am – don’t miss out!
Whether you play domestic, representative, Big V, are a referee or just a supporter of Werribee Basketball, you can now represent the WBA in style.
Make sure you get yours before the Queens Birthday long weekend!
Werribee Basketball’s referees have taken out three major awards at the Technical Officials Commission’s (formerly VBRA) annual awards in May.
Highlighting just how strong Werribee’s program is, our referees won Large Referee Branch of the Year, Branch president Allison Scholey won the Marg Gorman Female Domestic Senior Basketball Referee of the Year and Werribee’s own Ron Clarke was awarded Life Membership of the TOC.
Allison said the Large Branch of the Year award was a tribute to the years of work by all of Werribee’s referees.
“This award is due to the hard work that people like Ron and many others have put in over the years, the people who set up the association – I’m just the cat who got the cream!”
“We have 215 referees in our program now and our continued growth is testament to the refereeing pathways we provide,” Allison said.
Not wanting to dwell on her own award, Allison simply said she was honoured. She said her career highlight was definitely refereeing with her daughter.
“I started a long time ago just to save some money for a holiday to England. I would never have imagined I’d be here all these years later still enjoying getting out on court and guiding our younger referees through!”
Ron’s elevation into the Hall of Fame comes 34 years after he started refereeing at Werribee as a 17 year old.
While he is now based in Melbourne, during his many years at Werribee he officiated domestically, through the state league program, at Big V, SEABL and NBL level.
He spent many years as Referee’s Advisor of Werribee’s program and has been instrumental helping guide the program to become what it is today.
Ron says his time teaching the next generation of referees is what he enjoys most.
“I like seeing the kids develop life skills. What our young referees learn on the court and the confidence they get from refereeing, they take that with them into the outside world.”
Ron said receiving the recognition from the TOC was very emotional.
“I don’t consider this an award. For me, it’s an achievement. It’s recognition of a lot of hard work and I’m thrilled by it.”