Victorian Basketball League

Victorian Basketball League
FormerlyBig V
2000–2026
SportBasketball
Founded2000
First season2000
No. of teamsMen: 11
Women: 10
CountryAustralia
ContinentFIBA Oceania (Oceania)
Most recent
champions
Men: McKinnon Cougars (4th title)
Women: McKinnon Cougars (1st title)
Most titlesMen: Ringwood Hawks (5 titles)
Women: Hume City Broncos (6 titles)
WebsiteBasketballVictoria.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.

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. Following the establishment of the Big V in 2000, VBL Division One and Division Two transitioned underneath Big V Championship Men and Championship Women.

Big V (2000–2026)

The Big V was established in 2000 as a new Australian Basketball Association (ABA) conference. 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.

The 2020 Big V season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 season was abandoned mid-season due to the same reason.

Victorian Basketball League (2027–)

In September 2026, the Big V was rebranded as the Victorian Basketball League for the 2027 season.

Current teams

Men

Women

List of Champions

MenWomen
TeamsYear(s) wonTeamsYear(s) won
Ringwood Hawks52012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018Hume City Broncos62007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2016
McKinnon Cougars42019, 2023, 2025, 2026Ballarat Miners32000, 2001, 2002
Shepparton Gators32000, 2001, 2003Eltham Wildcats32005, 2011, 2012
Sandringham Sabres22002, 2005Werribee/Wyndham Devils32019, 2022, 2024
Dandenong Rangers22006, 2007Melbourne Tigers22003, 2004
Melbourne Tigers22008, 2009Sunbury Jets22017, 2018
Waverley Falcons22010, 2011Bulleen Boomers22023, 2025
Corio Bay Stingrays22013, 2015Sandringham Sabres12006
Wyndham Devils22022, 2024Geelong Lady Cats12010
Hume City Broncos12004Ringwood Hawks12015
McKinnon Cougars12026

CVIBL/VBL champions (1987–1999)

YearDivision One MenDivision One WomenRef
1987Eltham
1988Coburg
1989Swan HillBroadmeadows
1990MilduraEltham
1991HorshamBendigo
1992WerribeeBendigo
1993WerribeeHeyfield
1994SheppartonWaverley
1995WerribeeBallarat
1996WerribeeBallarat
1997WarrnamboolBallarat
1998WarrnamboolBallarat
1999RingwoodBallarat

References

  1. ↑ "2024 Big V Divisional Structures". BasketballVictoria.com.au. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "2025 Big V Divisional Structures". BasketballVictoria.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 January 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  3. ↑ "What's New in 2026 for Big V". basketballvictoria.com.au. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 9 September 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "Women's Champion Teams Year by Year". BigV.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 September 2007.
  5. 1 2 3 "Men's Champion Teams Year by Year". BigV.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 September 2007.
  6. ↑ "History". Country Basketball League. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015.
  7. ↑ "The CVIBL, VBL and Big V History". Whittlesea City Basketball Association. Archived from the original on 18 March 2024.
  8. ↑ "Basketball Australia Annual Report 2000" (PDF). Basketball Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 March 2012.
  9. ↑ "History of the ABA". ABABasketball.net.au. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012.
  10. ↑ "ACC National Finals 2009 and onwards". Basketball Queensland. 26 November 2008. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  11. ↑ "Basketball Victoria statement – COVID-19". BigV.com.au. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  12. ↑ "COVID-19 League Updates". BasketballVictoria.com.au. 27 March 2020. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ "BV RETURN TO SPORT UPDATE (01/09/2021)". Frankston & District Basketball Association. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  15. ↑ "BIG V SEASON CANCELLED". Frankston & District Basketball Association. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  16. ↑ DeGeorge, Maree (7 September 2026). "A New Chapter for Victorian Basketball". basketballvictoria.com.au. Retrieved 9 September 2026.