The North East Bushrangers kicked off grading in the Victoria Junior Basketball League competition last week with a handful of teams competing across the north-east.
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The Bushrangers were represented by 11 teams, ranging from under-14 boys age groups through to under-18 girls.
Bushrangers’ VJBL delegate Tony Long said he and the club were thrilled with the start to the competition.
“It was a really good start, we’re really happy with the way everything kicked into gear,” Long said.
“The teams are positioned pretty highly and have a very good chance of making the Victorian Championship League which is highly valued and highly recognised.
“For the area it’s fantastic.”
The Bushies will play three games in round one of the grading phase, with the second grading round to be held with another three games in February.
Round one saw the Bushrangers’ under-14 girls, both under-16 boys teams, the under-16 girls and under-18 boys all pick up wins.
While the Bushrangers’ home courts at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre remain out of action due to flood damage, the teams will travel away each week, with the majority of home games played out of Shepparton Sports Stadium.
The Bushrangers’ next round of grading matches will be held this Friday evening.
It’s been a big week for the Bushrangers for a number of reasons, after Labor candidate for Ovens Valley Zuvele Leschen announced on Thursday a funding boost of $60,000 to go toward the club if re-elected this month.
Long said the club had been hard at work in securing funding for the club’s immediate and distant future.
“Our president Bess Gillard has been working tirelessly with the politicians of the area as we seek support going into the election,” he said.
“We’re gratefully accepting that support at all levels.”