Victorian Basketball League
 | |
| 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 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.
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
[edit]Precursor league (1987–1999)
[edit]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)
[edit]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–)
[edit]In September 2026, the Big V was rebranded as the Victorian Basketball League for the 2027 season.[16]
Current teams
[edit]Men
[edit]Women
[edit]List of Champions
[edit]| 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)
[edit]| 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 | |
References
[edit]- ↑ "2024 Big V Divisional Structures". BasketballVictoria.com.au. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ↑ "2025 Big V Divisional Structures". BasketballVictoria.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 January 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ↑ "What's New in 2026 for Big V". basketballvictoria.com.au. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 9 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Women's Champion Teams Year by Year". BigV.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 September 2007.
- 1 2 3 "Men's Champion Teams Year by Year". BigV.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 September 2007.
- ↑ "History". Country Basketball League. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015.
- ↑ "The CVIBL, VBL and Big V History". Whittlesea City Basketball Association. Archived from the original on 18 March 2024.
- ↑ "Basketball Australia Annual Report 2000" (PDF). Basketball Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 March 2012.
- ↑ "History of the ABA". ABABasketball.net.au. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012.
- ↑ "ACC National Finals 2009 and onwards". Basketball Queensland. 26 November 2008. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ↑ "Basketball Victoria statement – COVID-19". BigV.com.au. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ↑ "COVID-19 League Updates". BasketballVictoria.com.au. 27 March 2020. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ↑ "2021 Big V season set to go". BigV.com.au. 15 January 2021. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ↑ "BV RETURN TO SPORT UPDATE (01/09/2021)". Frankston & District Basketball Association. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ↑ "BIG V SEASON CANCELLED". Frankston & District Basketball Association. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ↑ DeGeorge, Maree (7 September 2026). "A New Chapter for Victorian Basketball". basketballvictoria.com.au. Retrieved 9 September 2026.