Shepparton Gators set to play opening 2025 Victorian Junior Basketball League games

The Shepparton Gators start the second phase of grading for the Victorian Junior Basketball League this Friday, which will sort out what divisions the various sides play in for the upcoming season.

Shepparton Gators director of junior coaching Josh Waight said the junior pathway system was showing strong indications of internal development.

“(The juniors) are heading in the right direction,” Waight said.

“We are really excited to see where they end up and (watch) their continual improvement throughout the year.”

The first grading phase for the Victorian Junior Basketball League was held during the Christmas period.

Six junior Gators sides (under-14 boys, under-14 girls, under-16 boys one, under-16 boys two, under-16 girls and under-18 girls) will begin their second grading phase on Friday.

Waight said playing strong metropolitan and regional junior sides could only help develop Shepparton’s young hoopsters.

“It’s an exciting new adventure for us and we are really investing in the VJBL pathway,” he said.

“Giving our kids a chance to play against high-quality opposition on a weekly basis.

“Melbourne has plenty of basketball talent, so for our kids to be exposed to that on a regular basis is really exciting and hopefully it helps and develops our program.”

Waight did concede it could be hard to match it with the state’s stronger junior basketball clubs given the Gators’ restrictions with court availability.

“(Participation) has gone through the roof,” he said.

“We just can’t get enough courts to help nurture our kids through their junior journey.

“Other teams down Melbourne way and other regional teams are able to train two nights a week and unfortunately we find it hard to access courts.

“Fortunately, the coaches are doing the job of getting the most out of their groups.”

Waight encouraged members of the public to come and support the junior Gators sides on Friday, February 7 at Shepparton Sports Stadium.