Victorian Basketball League
Australian semi-pro basketball league
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The Victorian Basketball League (VBL), formerly the Big V, is a semi-professional basketball league in Victoria, Australia, comprising both a men's and women's competition.
| |
| Formerly | Big V 2000–2026 |
|---|---|
| Sport | Basketball |
| Founded | 2000 |
| First season | 2000 |
| No. of teams | Men: 11 Women: 10 |
| Country | Australia |
| Continent | FIBA Oceania (Oceania) |
Most recent champions | Men: McKinnon Cougars (4th title) Women: McKinnon Cougars (1st title) |
| Most titles | Men: Ringwood Hawks (5 titles) Women: Hume City Broncos (6 titles) |
| Website | BasketballVictoria.com.au |
The VBL's premier divisions are Championship Men and Championship Women. The league also has Division One and Division Two as well as a number of youth divisions.[1][2][3]
History
Precursor league (1987–1999)
In 1987, a precursor league to the Big V was established. A women's competition was introduced first followed by a men's competition in 1989. It was known by many names, including Victorian Women's Conference, Country Victorian Invitation Basketball League (CVIBL), and finally the Victorian Basketball League (VBL) in the late 1990s.[4][5][6][7] Following the establishment of the Big V in 2000, VBL Division One and Division Two transitioned underneath Big V Championship Men and Championship Women.[4][5]
Big V (2000–2026)
The Big V was established in 2000 as a new Australian Basketball Association (ABA) conference.[8][9] The Big V remained a member of the ABA until the conclusion of the 2008 season, when the ABA ceased operations, making the Big V an independent competition for the first time.[10]
The 2020 Big V season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11][12][13] The 2021 season was abandoned mid-season due to the same reason.[14][15]
Victorian Basketball League (2027–)
In September 2026, the Big V was rebranded as the Victorian Basketball League for the 2027 season.[16]
Current teams
Men
- Bellarine Storm
- Camberwell Dragons
- Gippsland United
- Hume City Broncos
- McKinnon Cougars
- Melbourne University
- Pakenham Warriors
- RMIT Redbacks
- Sunbury Jets
- Warrandyte Venom
- Wyndham Devils
Women
- Bellarine Storm
- Bulleen Boomers
- Hume City Broncos
- McKinnon Cougars
- Pakenham Warriors
- Sherbrooke Suns
- Sunbury Jets
- Warrandyte Venom
- Warrnambool Mermaids
- Western Port Steelers
List of Champions
| Men | Women | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams |  | Year(s) won | Teams | | Year(s) won |
| Ringwood Hawks | 5 | 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 | Hume City Broncos | 6 | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2016 |
| McKinnon Cougars | 4 | 2019, 2023, 2025, 2026 | Ballarat Miners | 3 | 2000, 2001, 2002 |
| Shepparton Gators | 3 | 2000, 2001, 2003 | Eltham Wildcats | 3 | 2005, 2011, 2012 |
| Sandringham Sabres | 2 | 2002, 2005 | Werribee/Wyndham Devils | 3 | 2019, 2022, 2024 |
| Dandenong Rangers | 2 | 2006, 2007 | Melbourne Tigers | 2 | 2003, 2004 |
| Melbourne Tigers | 2 | 2008, 2009 | Sunbury Jets | 2 | 2017, 2018 |
| Waverley Falcons | 2 | 2010, 2011 | Bulleen Boomers | 2 | 2023, 2025 |
| Corio Bay Stingrays | 2 | 2013, 2015 | Sandringham Sabres | 1 | 2006 |
| Wyndham Devils | 2 | 2022, 2024 | Geelong Lady Cats | 1 | 2010 |
| Hume City Broncos | 1 | 2004 | Ringwood Hawks | 1 | 2015 |
| McKinnon Cougars | 1 | 2026 | |||
CVIBL/VBL champions (1987–1999)
| Year | Division One Men | Division One Women | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Eltham | [4][5] | |
| 1988 | Coburg | ||
| 1989 | Swan Hill | Broadmeadows | |
| 1990 | Mildura | Eltham | |
| 1991 | Horsham | Bendigo | |
| 1992 | Werribee | Bendigo | |
| 1993 | Werribee | Heyfield | |
| 1994 | Shepparton | Waverley | |
| 1995 | Werribee | Ballarat | |
| 1996 | Werribee | Ballarat | |
| 1997 | Warrnambool | Ballarat | |
| 1998 | Warrnambool | Ballarat | |
| 1999 | Ringwood | Ballarat | |