knox stadium

[velvet Sledgehammer]

Hope im not like Joffa at collingwod with the gold jacket prematurely wearing it against Essendon...but if the photo opportrunities on tuesday are any indication...be prepared for the big announcement and turning of the soil of the new High street rd stadium.Not only have Knox supplied the Spooks with a coach but with the new stadium both teams can now merge

[UserFriendlyRoll]

Great news about the beginning of the construction of the new stadium in High St Rd. Great for Knox moving forward. I haven't seen the plans though. Is there plans for a 5k seat show court? There will be no merger though. Kilsyth are beginning their expansion soon too. The plans are displayed on Wallace's window. I Don't expect Kilsyth to Merge with Ringwood or Sherbrooke though.

[from the cheap seats]

Great news about the beginning of the construction of the new stadium in High St Rd. Great for Knox moving forward. I haven't seen the plans though. Is there plans for a 5k seat show court? There will be no merger though. Kilsyth are beginning their expansion soon too. The plans are displayed on Wallace's window. I Don't expect Kilsyth to Merge with Ringwood or Sherbrooke though.

You do or you dont ?? Using the word "though" is a bit confusing.

[from the cheap seats]

I should have also said that Knox's target is Dandenong.They know competing with Kilsyth is a waste of time. Poker machines give them way to much revenue to build a war chest.

There is not much between Knox and Dandenong except a ton of kids playing domestic. Thats thier growth target. You will also find that the new stadium is not what they origonally wanted. Council reduced the number of courts and added soccer feilds to make it more multi purpose. Its going to be a nice place but not 100% Raiders for sure.

Dandenong watch out, as you will loose kids right out of your own backyard now.

Shrbookeis a merge/takeover target as they ar really fading away as an association. You wil probably see them merge with a smaller club or two from the hills to stay alive. Knox management will be pushng for that as thats what has happened before.

[UserFriendlyRoll]

You do or you dont ?? Using the word "though" is a bit confusing.OK, there will be no merger "IN MY OPINION"

Shrbookeis a merge/takeover target as they ar really fading away as an association. You wil probably see them merge with a smaller club or two from the hills to stay alive. Knox management will be pushng for that as thats what has happened before.Sherbrooke was once administered from Knox wasn't it?

[from the cheap seats]

I think that was the case. They are certainly heading backwards now. Look at the girls program. Roosters one seaon then failed to even put a team on the floor.

[curious]

Herald Sun article here.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25429890-10914,00.html

[Loz]

Great announcement. Congrats to those who have pulled it off and in particular to Knox Council who got behind the push early on and worked hard to acquire the land and also to James Merlino who fulfilled a promise made a few years ago. Let's hope the Feds also contribute so that the entire precinct can be fast tracked.

BV Media release -

http://www.basketballvictoria.com.au/index.php?id=102&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=60&tx_ttnews[backPid]=2&cHash=09ce754114

[franga4eva]

Well any news about something progressive with basketball must be good news.

But I am amazed it will be housing BV too.
I can't wait to hear what all those Knox haters have to say about that.

[velvet Sledgehammer]

I suppose I can wear the gold jacket safely now...hate to say I told you so.Watch with interest to see who gets invited to join the new stadium and play their games there or merge!!...theres that word again...note the date ,so in 12 months I can smile like a chesire cat

[from the cheap seats]

This Stadium ha been known about for the past 6 months or longer so please dont think your giving everyone a "scoop" here. As for the merge, your dreaming and if your not name names as you obviously think you have inside info.

[UserFriendlyRoll]

Great announcement. Congrats to those who have pulled it off and in particular to Knox Council who got behind the push early on and worked hard to acquire the land This appears to be a full 180 degree turn around by the Knox Council Loz. Weren't they charging you guys some enormous amount of rent at Boronia? In the area of 100k per year. This is a worry. Either they are still going to charge KBA an enormous rent or they have shot the goose that lays the golden eggs. Curious to know which one it is.

[Loz]

You have to understand that I've been out of the loop for the past year but I can fill you in on a couple of things. Firstly, when I was there, we did renegotiate the rent on Boronia and the deal is now substantially better than what it was in the bad old days.

And yes it is a complete turnaround by this Council and I publicly acknowledge the work of the previous Council and the ongoing work of the current for getting this part of it over the line. The Knox Council CEO also did a lot of work in obtaining the land for the project. It was a refreshing change to work with a Council and Council officers who were doing their best on our behalf.

Everyone should also remember that this is planned as a staged development, so the initial 6 courts will aid KBI to offload some of the sub-standard courts they currently use and it will be full from Day 1. Unless the philosophy changed there is no need to share with any other association or to look at any mergers. There are opportunities to look at some joint initiatives and if KBI or neighbouring Associations aren't exploring them they are stupid.

As far as the financial deals go, I only know what was discussed in the early days and it would not be fair to talk about them here, and anyway things may well have changed in the last year and anything I knew then could be totally irrelevant now.

And a final comment on Sherbrooke. I worked hard when I was on that Board and again when I took on the roles at Knox to bring about a joint junior competition with both Associations. Those efforts failed but I still believe that given the number of kids from the Hills that play at Knox, that it made sense to look at joint ventures back then. In the end it was the Sherbrooke people who were worried about a take over that stymied the talks. So again, unless there have been some major changes in the past year, I don't see any mergers happening [even though I may believe that the best interests of the sport are that they do].

[velvet Sledgehammer]

LOz Quote..There are opportunities to look at some joint initiatives and if KBI or neighbouring Associations aren't exploring them they are stupid.
IMO joint ventures are a way of saying megers on some aspects ...lets say for example a joint venture with Ringwood Associatiobs Domestic comp.Be good for Knox to access that talent pool for their Rep program...rather than the real top players going elsewhere

[from the cheap seats]

LOz Quote..There are opportunities to look at some joint initiatives and if KBI or neighbouring Associations aren't exploring them they are stupid.
IMO joint ventures are a way of saying megers on some aspects ...lets say for example a joint venture with Ringwood Associatiobs Domestic comp.Be good for Knox to access that talent pool for their Rep program...rather than the real top players going elsewhere

You obviously have no idea of the structure of the Ringwood Association junior comp and why on earth would Knox taking Ringwoods juniors be any good for Ringwood. Juniors can go where they want for a start and you would be supprised how many leave Knox ans Kilsyth for that matter because they are treated like crap. Ringwood is doing just fine by the look of it. They are running a 4 team Big V program, reasonably succesfull VJBL group and a pretty good mid week domestic comp. Not bad for a small assoc surrounded by the big 3.
And what "real top players" are leaving or have left Ringwood for Knox ????

[velvet Sledgehammer]

Thanks for the update.You are very well informed and with all that success im sure all are Happy at Ringwood.Just curious though ...with what you called a pretty good junior comp (midweek) would it not make sense for them to enter teams in a weekend comp that already exists so they can attract more players that cant play midweek?..and with a little luck they may get a junior rep team that makes VIc Championship if they dont already

[from the cheap seats]

Ringwood does not have a mid week junior comp so you got that wrong. It has a senior comp and Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with netball on Thursday and VJBL on Friday. Saturday is all junior GEBC comp. Full fixture from where I see it. All they need is more courts and they would fill them also. As for the VC crack, its tough to attract players when you go up against the big 3 and thier full time paid employees. For all its minus's Ringwood has alot of plus's going for it.

Just stop being so one eyed about it and realise that Ringwood is surounded by the two biggest associations in the country with a tota of some 1200 junior domestic teams to pick and choose from. No bloody wonder they do well. When more kids realise that it could be better to be a big fish in a little pond Ringwood will be where it was many years ago.

[Dick Bavetta]

I don't recall many Ringwood juniors making state teams. Ringwood get the dregs from the Big 3. Sure, big fish in a little sea but where does that get them. VJBL is to produce elite players. Not provide every kid with a game on a Friday night.

[franga4eva]

VJBL is to produce elite players. Not provide every kid with a game on a Friday night.
Oh dear - you know you've been posting on this forum for too long when you see this merry-go-round discussion come up again.

[Loz]

Any Association, or competition for that matter, which is aimed purely at producing elite players misses the point. The aim needs to be to provide opportunities for kids to play at the level commensurate with their ability and build pathways so that they can develop and proceed onto other things if they wish to. The problem I have always had with the total focus being on the top end is that kids all develop at different rates and they are often cut from programs way too early. So the smaller clubs and the Metro and EQ competitions provide a great service in keeping kids involved who may one day develop into "elite" players. If they didn't exist then we'd lose even more kids to footy and other sports than we already do.

Here are a couple of more articles on the new complex -

http://www.knoxjournal.com.au/news/local/news/general/gap-in-sports-cash/1504815.aspx

http://knox-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/ball-in-rudd-s-court/

[from the cheap seats]

I don't recall many Ringwood juniors making state teams. Ringwood get the dregs from the Big 3. Sure, big fish in a little sea but where does that get them. VJBL is to produce elite players. Not provide every kid with a game on a Friday night.

Arogant fool. I suppose you would be happy to simply play against Nuna, Dandy, Knox and Kilsyth EVERY week. Wow what long term vision you must have.................I am glad your not at my club.

[flourbomber]

[Originally Posted by Dick Bavetta
I don't recall many Ringwood juniors making state teams. Ringwood get the dregs from the Big 3.]


I am not from Ringwood or any of the Big 3 Clubs, but what dregs are you actually referring to Dick? I think over the years, some of the smaller clubs, including Ringwood, have produced some high quality State players.

[UserFriendlyRoll]

Check out Knox's junior boys program. They're blitzing this season. :D Many teams in VC or Met 1.

[velvet Sledgehammer]

I am told but stand corrected but I think that a lot of juniors go from Ringwood to Knox's nemisis Nunawading.I am told that this has been an erk for many years so a good entry is to suck up all of their juniors from the start.
Love to see how attractive Knox becomes to potential state coach's(like Dande is now) as they will be housed with Basketball Vic.It would be handy to chat at the water fountain.
I dont know but can only imagine that with a new stadium Knox may entertain the idea of a team in the nbl or wnbl.Have Know idea if they think that way but with restructure a local genuine CLUB team with local support rather than created support maybe a financial success...cheap courts and established infrastructure.Knox/ kilsyth /nuna/...enter combined team...and still maintain individual Seabl teams
A guaranteed pathway for eastern suburbs kids especially if they could get together with a uni or college to try and keep Aussie kids at home. I believe more and more local talent trying their luck in the states.
Just some thoughts..over nice bottle of red

[League]

I am told but stand corrected but I think that a lot of juniors go from Ringwood to Knox's nemisis Nunawading.I am told that this has been an erk for many years so a good entry is to suck up all of their juniors from the start.
Love to see how attractive Knox becomes to potential state coach's(like Dande is now) as they will be housed with Basketball Vic.It would be handy to chat at the water fountain.
I dont know but can only imagine that with a new stadium Knox may entertain the idea of a team in the nbl or wnbl.Have Know idea if they think that way but with restructure a local genuine CLUB team with local support rather than created support maybe a financial success...cheap courts and established infrastructure.Knox/ kilsyth /nuna/...enter combined team...and still maintain individual Seabl teams
A guaranteed pathway for eastern suburbs kids especially if they could get together with a uni or college to try and keep Aussie kids at home. I believe more and more local talent trying their luck in the states.
Just some thoughts..over nice bottle of red

NBL team................My god your dreaming. The money now required is massive to run an NBL side. I wouldnt think it would be on the radar and in the current climate i doubt BA would allow a third team from Melbourne. Also i doubt a KNOX NBL team would be a draw card lets say in NZ. They may be a realistic chance at a WNBL team though. Much cheaper to run but again there are already 3 teams in Victoria. Dont like their chances.

[Loz]

Knox did put in an expression of interest to enter a WNBL team during my tenure but the WNBL stated that they didn't want another team in Melbourne at that time.

I can also tell you that when the Giants were folding the Eastern suburb Associations did meet to consider how a joint NBL team could be organised and the main two reasons it was shelved at that time were the cost and how the shared ownership structure could work.

[from the cheap seats]

Some people think to much or to little for that matter over a "nie bottle of red". Dream on !

For the record just how many kids have left Ringwood in the past 5 years and gone to Knox or Nuna ?? You guys make statements which I doubt you can back up with facts.

Deal in truth and facts NOT myth's or uneducated guesses. And if you want the truth just look at the clearance list's. You might be supprised just who leaves who and where they go.
It would be interesting to find out the real reasons most kids move. I believe that for the most part its the parents who force it based on politcis (court time) and what thier opinion of what good coaching is.
Heres a though, maybe coaches could move kids to different parents because of "bad parenting" . What a novel idea eh ??

[Dick Bavetta]

Some of the Dandenong and Bulleen girls play SEABL for Nuna, Knox, Kilsyth so a WNBL team with a neutral name may be a success out of the new Knox Stadium. BTW, has the new stadium got it's own name? Like Boronia is the Knox Converse Stadium. If the new one was called something other than Knox it might attract players to a WNBL team that don't like the idea of playing for Knox.

[franga4eva]

It would be interesting to find out the real reasons most kids move?
I believe that for the most part its the parents who force it based on politcis (court time) and what their opinion of what good coaching is.
Heres a thought, maybe coaches could move kids to different parents because of "bad parenting" . What a novel idea eh ??
Are you really interested in the real reasons? - or was that just a retorikal question

[from the cheap seats]

Are you really interested in the real reasons? - or was that just a retorikal question

Dont worry, I know the entire list of reasons so if your going to try and pile crap on Ringwood you will be wasting your time.
I am just saying that some kids move for the WRONG reasons. We are all human and some people just dont get on with others and sometimes club appoint the wrong coaches but as we all know good people are hard to find.

[Dick Bavetta]

Don't worry, I know the entire list of reasons so if your going to try and pile crap on Ringwood you will be wasting your time.
I am just saying that some kids move for the WRONG reasons. We are all human and some people just don't get on with others and sometimes club appoint the wrong coaches but as we all know good people are hard to find.Politics is the biggest reason. Many parents have an inflated opinion of little Johnny's ability. I don't want to cause dramas but they do leave the Knoxes, Kilsyths and Dandenongs because of minimal court time and go to clubs like Ringwood and Warrandyte. I don't think rep ball is about appointing the wrong coaches. It's more about selecting a team that will develop into an elite team. The cream rises to the top. Not every kid is going to make the 1s at the top clubs so the parents move them on. Parental influence is huge in rep ball. They are always whinging about someone or something. Far worse than domestic level. If you can look at it from a neutral position, which is hard when you are involved at a particular club or even if your kid is involved, the coaching staff generally get it right.

[Loz]

Some of the Dandenong and Bulleen girls play SEABL for Nuna, Knox, Kilsyth so a WNBL team with a neutral name may be a success out of the new Knox Stadium. BTW, has the new stadium got it's own name? Like Boronia is the Knox Converse Stadium. If the new one was called something other than Knox it might attract players to a WNBL team that don't like the idea of playing for Knox.

As things currently stand Knox Council will be borrowing a substantial amount of money to make this happen. They have a policy on naming rights at Council facilities and no doubt that will need to be re-visited if they are to defray some of the borrowing costs. There was nothing in place when I left because there was nothing concrete to sell. However, we did discuss that the site, on Eastlink, had potential for an attractive naming rights sponsorship deal to be done.

In any event my understanding is that this will be the State Basketball Centre and it would be good for the sport if that did have naming rights attached to it, but any arrangement would likely have to be split in some proportion between Knox Council, Knox Association and BV.

[from the cheap seats]

Totally agree !
I can tell you that every club has a few coaches they wish they didnt have and quite a few parents as well. For the most part its the parents who make the problems and just cannot see the fact that Johnny is crap and should be in the 5's. They fail to see the distinction between Rep and domestic. I blame EQ for this mentality. They are kids playing so called Rep all at a low domestic standard. I get the "participation" arguments but you cannot get away from the fact that some domestic D grade kids strut around telling everyone that he plays Rep Ball and mummy seems to think at top age 16 EQ he just needs to get into a bigger club and in three years he will be in the NBA.

[from the cheap seats]

As long as its not some wierd beer company from Russia who no one has every heard of. Or a insurance Co like that dumb football stadium or Vodaphone or whatever its called now !!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe Lozz's Legacy Stadium

[Loz]

...Maybe Lozz's Legacy Stadium

Now that one I can guarantee won't happen :)

[Loz]

Federal Government commits $7million.

http://www.basketballvictoria.com.au/index.php?id=102&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=67&tx_ttnews[backPid]=2&cHash=09440f9a2a

[Homer]

Does this mean there is a plan to get out of the huge commitment to MSAC once the
place is built to it's maximum?
MSAC is pretty high rent too isn't it Loz?
I recall one year the refs Fitness Test was held there and all the ref bosses were talking
about the cost of the meeting room for just a couple of hours.
It's also expensive to play rep there.

[Loz]

Does this mean there is a plan to get out of the huge commitment to MSAC once the
place is built to it's maximum?
MSAC is pretty high rent too isn't it Loz?
I recall one year the refs Fitness Test was held there and all the ref bosses were talking
about the cost of the meeting room for just a couple of hours.
It's also expensive to play rep there.

The 7 associations that use MSAC will remain there and presumably their deals re court hire shouldn't change although everyone would like to see a cheaper arrangement.

To the best of my knowledge BV will negotiate a way out of their lease for the admin areas only and I am not sure of the commercial arrangements they have with MSAC.

Knox currently use 22 courts for junior competition. Even when the full 15 courts eventuate [and that may be 5-10 years away] they will still have a need for that facility plus Boronia, and assuming some growth, probably some of the two court school venues they currently use. There are some other options they may consider, including moving some junior competitions to midweek, to lessen the need for outside courts, but I am not sure how popular that would be with the clubs. And they won't need to think about that until the facility is near completion anyway.

[Dick Bavetta]

Love to see how attractive Knox becomes to potential state coach's(like Dande is now) as they will be housed with Basketball Vic.It would be handy to chat at the water fountain.On one hand I think there will be a bit of that, but on the other, Knox's juniors are doing very well ATM. That will more than likely translate to state reps regardless of Knox's proximity to BV.

[Dick Bavetta]

I don't recall many Ringwood juniors making state teams. Ringwood get the dregs from the Big 3. Sure, big fish in a little sea but where does that get them. VJBL is to produce elite players. Not provide every kid with a game on a Friday night.
Arrogant fool. I suppose you would be happy to simply play against Nuna, Dandy, Knox and Kilsyth EVERY week. Wow what long term vision you must have.................I am glad your not at my club.I'm glad I'm not at your club too if you are focused on participation and not development, that's what Saturday basketball is for. And yes, I believe the leagues should be halved in team numbers so the competition develops the states best players. For example Boys VC. Cut it to the ten elite clubs. Tough competition week in, week out will produce many more excellent players than happens now. If that means Nuna, Dandy, Knox and Kilsyth along with the 6 next best I'm all for it. The cream will rise to the top. For the number of players around this country we have very few world standard players. (US College, Europe and NBA)

[flourbomber]

Dick, I think you will find that VC will be split after the halfway mark of the VJBL season. The top 10 ranked teams will be playing off for the top prize, with the bottom 10 VC teams playing off in a consolation series, which is fine and probably what you are suggesting. Dont assume that the 4 teams that you mention will always be in the top 10 however! To take the 18's as an example, Knox will not be competing in the Top 10, as they will finish in the bottom half of their division after 9 rounds. Going well in other age groups of course.

[velvet Sledgehammer]

On one hand I think there will be a bit of that, but on the other, Knox's juniors are doing very well ATM. That will more than likely translate to state reps regardless of Knox's proximity to BV.

I hope so because for an association the size of Knox and the success of their Junior teams the amount of state reps or should I say lack of is amazing.Not saying anything unusual and I do believe in human nature but if you look at who is coaching a team compar that to who makes it..and this then spreads further to national squads

[Coach D]

Dick, I think you will find that VC will be split after the halfway mark of the VJBL season. The top 10 ranked teams will be playing off for the top prize, with the bottom 10 VC teams playing off in a consolation series, which is fine and probably what you are suggesting. Dont assume that the 4 teams that you mention will always be in the top 10 however! To take the 18's as an example, Knox will not be competing in the Top 10, as they will finish in the bottom half of their division after 9 rounds. Going well in other age groups of course.

The VC split is only being trialled in either U18's or U20's this year. It is not for all age groups.

As for Nuna in the top 4, the girls program yes, but for the boys it looks like U20-1's (maybe 18-1's) will be the only team to make Classic this year. U12-1's second bottom, U14-1's second bottom U16-1's second bottom, U18-1's 5th, U20-1's 3rd.

[flourbomber]

The top 10 split is happening in the Under 18 Comp.

[RedbackVenom]

And Kilsyth's 14.1 boys are "only" in VJBL1...

Before we go paring down the VJBL competitions, including EQ, just remember, Victoria is the #1 state in Australian basketball and has been for many years now. The structure in place has contributed to that record. Victoria's #2 team (if they made it on court) would be playing for a medal at the National's. You don't get depth (and the ability to maintain it) if you play a 10 team competition at the elite level. The competition has moved on and is as strong as ever. You just never know - some kids develop at different ages and you need to give them a chance. You can develop talent at U16 level just as you can at U12 level.

And in any case, with so many kids playing rep-ball, is it not increasing the exposure of the game to the kids? After all, they are the future of our great game in this country - whether it be as a player, coach, official, or advocate. Don't forget we need the current crop of kids' children to play the game as well to keep the game growing! We are more likely to have that happen if we have people exposed to rep-ball - whether it be at the elite VC level or "just" EQ.

Some people need to take the blinkers off and look at basketball holistically in this state and the country.

[South of the boarder]

And Kilsyth's 14.1 boys are "only" in VJBL1...

Before we go paring down the VJBL competitions, including EQ, just remember, Victoria is the #1 state in Australian basketball and has been for many years now. The structure in place has contributed to that record. Victoria's #2 team (if they made it on court) would be playing for a medal at the National's. You don't get depth (and the ability to maintain it) if you play a 10 team competition at the elite level. The competition has moved on and is as strong as ever. You just never know - some kids develop at different ages and you need to give them a chance. You can develop talent at U16 level just as you can at U12 level.

And in any case, with so many kids playing rep-ball, is it not increasing the exposure of the game to the kids? After all, they are the future of our great game in this country - whether it be as a player, coach, official, or advocate. Don't forget we need the current crop of kids' children to play the game as well to keep the game growing! We are more likely to have that happen if we have people exposed to rep-ball - whether it be at the elite VC level or "just" EQ.

Some people need to take the blinkers off and look at basketball holistically in this state and the country.

Question Is the Friday night comp getting bigger? If you look at the under 12s it has been shrinking for the past few seasons . So are we doing enough to get kids into basketball or are we loosing ground to soccer etc?

[RedbackVenom]

Question Is the Friday night comp getting bigger? If you look at the under 12s it has been shrinking for the past few seasons . So are we doing enough to get kids into basketball or are we loosing ground to soccer etc?

This is a good point...if in fact this competition is shrinking, then to me that is an issue that needs to be addressed. This competition should be at least holding numbers, not losing them.

[Loz]

From the Ferntree Gully Belgrave Mail

http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/74788

[Old Hack]

This is a good point...if in fact this competition is shrinking, then to me that is an issue that needs to be addressed. This competition should be at least holding numbers, not losing them.

Well one reason they are losing numbers is the way VJBL manage the U12 competitions - eg. While U12 VC has two Pools of 10 teams & then U12 VJL 1 is also two Pools of 10 teams each Pool is concentrated North-West or South East Regional Pools however they then created VJL 2 with 4 Pools of 4 teams (16 Total) then gave the Clubs the right to Veto home games at opponents Venues. Where did this come idea from. This is meant to be a Home & Away competition.

The Result is that a significant number of teams at U12 VJL 2 Level are only getting 3-4 Home Games in 18 Total over the Season. Most of these Teams with the reduced Home Games just happen to be out in the outer North West region. There are some in the Outer South Eastern areas also missing out but not as many teams from checking the fixtures.

The fact the VJBL can actively allow discrimination of Clubs in a region or area without consultation or discussion with those Clubs affected just highlights that maybe Basketball at the Grass Root Level is not all that OK.

So for Kids who have just started Rep basketball playing their first Season and unlucky enough to get Graded into VJL 2 then forget about playing in your own stadium.

Victorian Basketball administrators always pat themselves on the back for how well our State Teams do but at the lower levels things aren't as rosy as it seems.

Take the Grading Phase - Teams will play about 10 Games in total over the two Grading Phases with only 2 Home Games. So over a 3 month period beginning in November and ending mid March you get to play 2 Games at Home & 8 Games at away Venues. Now does that sound like a good system.

It certainly works well for the centrally located stadiums that are filled week in week out during the 3 months of grading while most outer metro stadiums are left empty.

If you want to know the answer to why friday basketball at U12's is shrinking then you should take a close look at our Administrators who don't seem to really care about the Clubs they represent.

[Gibson2Worthington]

Well one reason they are losing numbers is the way VJBL manage the U12 competitions - eg. While U12 VC has two Pools of 10 teams & then U12 VJL 1 is also two Pools of 10 teams each Pool is concentrated North-West or South East Regional Pools however they then created VJL 2 with 4 Pools of 4 teams (16 Total) then gave the Clubs the right to Veto home games at opponents Venues. Where did this come idea from. This is meant to be a Home & Away competition.

The Result is that a significant number of teams at U12 VJL 2 Level are only getting 3-4 Home Games in 18 Total over the Season. Most of these Teams with the reduced Home Games just happen to be out in the outer North West region. There are some in the Outer South Eastern areas also missing out but not as many teams from checking the fixtures.

The fact the VJBL can actively allow discrimination of Clubs in a region or area without consultation or discussion with those Clubs affected just highlights that maybe Basketball at the Grass Root Level is not all that OK.

So for Kids who have just started Rep basketball playing their first Season and unlucky enough to get Graded into VJL 2 then forget about playing in your own stadium.

Victorian Basketball administrators always pat themselves on the back for how well our State Teams do but at the lower levels things aren't as rosy as it seems.

Take the Grading Phase - Teams will play about 10 Games in total over the two Grading Phases with only 2 Home Games. So over a 3 month period beginning in November and ending mid March you get to play 2 Games at Home & 8 Games at away Venues. Now does that sound like a good system.

It certainly works well for the centrally located stadiums that are filled week in week out during the 3 months of grading while most outer metro stadiums are left empty.

If you want to know the answer to why friday basketball at U12's is shrinking then you should take a close look at our Administrators who don't seem to really care about the Clubs they represent.

We have a team in U/12 NW who have only played 4 home games since try outs in October.

And only 3 more for the rest of the season.

Will be hard to get kids back after the parents have been running around so much in the first season.

When you're playing a low level it's hard for the parents to justify all the cost and travel.