Welcome to the 2026-27 VJBL Try Outs. Southern Peninsula is thrilled to kick off what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting VJBL seasons we have experienced for a number of years. We are excited to continue to implement the Sharks Style of Play in season 2026/27 and we will have a mindset focused on developing our players, our coaches, and our organisation as a whole.
The growth that we have experienced over the past few years has allowed our association to head in a strong direction, specifically, ensuring that we deliver a high-quality, culture-based program that challenges all members to be the best that they can possibly be.
We are wishing each and every athlete good luck in the upcoming VJBL Try Outs. Please take some time to familiarise yourself with the SPBA Information Booklet so you know exactly what you are getting into and what is to be expected of you.
Thanks everyone and we can't wait to see you on the court soon.
Ben White
Have you ever played VJBL or Sharks Academy before? Choose an option below for the correct tryout information.
For players not currently in the SPBA representative program
The New Player Tryout is an opportunity for any player who is not currently part of the SPBA representative program to showcase their skills directly to our coaching staff.
This session is held prior to the main tryouts and is designed to ensure that new players receive a fair and genuine opportunity to be seen. Without this dedicated session, new players can often get lost among the larger group of returning players, making it difficult for coaches to properly assess their abilities.
The New Player Tryout is held when 10 or more new players have registered. If fewer than 10 new players register, a separate session is not needed. With only a small handful of new players, our coaches can easily identify and assess them within the main tryout without the risk of anyone being overlooked. Those players will simply be directed straight to the Existing Player Tryout.
The Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) is the premier junior representative basketball competition in Victoria. It is coordinated and operated by Basketball Victoria, and it brings together clubs from across the state to compete at the highest level of junior basketball.
At Southern Peninsula Basketball Association (SPBA), we are proud to be one of the member associations that compete in the VJBL. Our Junior Sharks representative program offers players the opportunity to compete against the best athletes across Victoria each Friday night during the VJBL season.
The VJBL operates across three tiers to ensure players of similar skill levels compete against one another. This structure provides both elite challenge and appropriate opportunities for development.
Elite state-level
The top tier in Victorian junior basketball. Comprised of the strongest teams across all associations, VC represents the pinnacle of junior competition in the state.
Graded competition
VJL offers a range of graded divisions, from VJL1 through VJL5 (or beyond), designed to match teams with similar performance levels for fair and competitive play.
Localised development pathway
Previously known as the Regional Development League (RDL), RL is the newest tier, replacing the RDL. Teams are organised into geographical pools, reducing travel and increasing convenience for families.
This structure ensures every SPBA team competes in balanced, meaningful games. It promotes player development by matching teams with similar skill and pace, and supports our community through accessible competition, thanks to geographical structuring in the RL.
Information Pack will be released soon.
The registration fees cover all of the up-front costs involved in putting our teams and players on the court, including, but not limited to:
| Date | Full Payment | 2 Instalments | 3 Instalments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 October | Pay 100% | Pay 50% | Pay 40% |
| 31 January 2027 | — | Pay 50% + $10 admin fee | Pay 30% + $10 admin fee |
| 27 February 2027 | — | — | Pay 30% + $10 admin fee |
*Cost plus PlayHQ fee.
We understand that registration fees can place a financial strain on families. If you require additional support or would like to discuss alternative payment options, please don't hesitate to reach out to harriet.golding@sthpen.com.au. All conversations will remain confidential, and we are committed to helping every athlete stay on the court to the best of our ability.
The team game fees are set by Basketball Victoria and are approximately $125 per team per game to cover referees and venue costs. This works out to $12.50 per player if your team has 10 players, and includes all game day costs. Payments are made via the Team Pay app, organised by your team's team manager.
If you choose to no longer continue with the VJBL program after registration fees have been paid, you may be eligible for a partial refund as outlined below. All refund requests must be made in writing to the SPBA Pathways Administrator at sharks@sthpen.com.au. Refunded amount will be determined as per below:
Uniform purchases are not included under this schedule.
Please note: the refund policy is strict, as registration fees go predominantly towards expenses incurred early in the season and are still incurred by SPBA even if a player withdraws.
Information, Registration & Uniform Session:
During these sessions, registration fees can be paid, and merchandise can be tried on, purchased, and taken. Registration and apparel/uniform can also be purchased online. The required uniform must be purchased prior to Thursday 15th October, 9am.
Mandatory items (5% discount)
Save $15
Mandatory & recommended items (10% discount)
Save $40
| Item | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Reversible Playing Singlet | $85 | Mandatory |
| Playing Shorts | $70 | Mandatory |
| Reversible Training Singlet | $80 | Mandatory |
| Training Shorts | $70 | Mandatory |
| Game Day Hoodie | $85 | Recommended |
| Socks | $19.99–$23.99 | Recommended |
| Bottle | $15 | Recommended |
| Backpack | $85 | Optional |
| Casual Travel Shorts | $60 | Optional |
| Tracksuit Pants | $75 | Optional |
*Prices are at time of publication and may change. Other casual wear items available through the pro shop.
The VJBL calendar is scheduled from mid-November through to early September each season. The competition breaks over school holiday periods, and generally teams will not train during the school holidays. There are numerous tournaments and clinics for player development throughout the year, along with specific programs tailored for athletes which the club oversees in conjunction with Basketball Victoria and Basketball Australia.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Junior Sharks Try Outs | 01/10/2026 – 04/10/2026 |
| Team Announcements | 06/10/2026 |
| Parent Information Night | 09/10/2026 |
| First Training Session | 13/10/2026 |
| First Registration Payment Due | 16/10/2026 |
| Southern Peninsula Tournament | 06/11/2026 – 08/11/2026 |
| Practice Matches | TBC |
| VJBL Grading | 20/11/2026 |
| SPBA Development Camp | TBC |
| VJBL Games Commence | 29/01/2027 |
| Basketball Victoria Country Champs (First Teams Only) | TBC |
| End Of Season Break Up | TBC |
Training times will be released late September/early October.
All SPBA VJBL communication is managed through our dedicated WhatsApp Community. This includes updates from coaches, team managers, and club administrators. Important information such as schedule changes, event reminders, and announcements will be shared directly in this space. We encourage all families to stay connected and check the group regularly to ensure they don't miss anything.
Further information, including how to join the WhatsApp Community, will be provided once teams have been selected.
Basketball Victoria offers two distinct development pathways: Country and Metro, determined by the athlete's residential address. SPBA is classified as a Country Association, meaning our players who live in country-zoned areas are eligible for Country development programs and competitions. Metro-based athletes within our program are only eligible for Metro pathways, as defined by Basketball Victoria's Country/Metro boundary. Basketball Victoria Pathways are organised and run by Basketball Victoria (including all player selections) and are independent of SPBA's VJBL Program.
One key event in the Country calendar is the Basketball Victoria Country Championships (Country Champs), a prestigious annual tournament where each Country Association sends their top team. SPBA selects and enters its First Team in each age group to represent our club at this event. Only athletes residing at a Country-zoned address are eligible to participate in Country Champs.
Basketball Victoria also runs additional talent identification and development opportunities across the year, such as skills days, academies, and state team selections, again divided strictly by the Country or Metro classification. This ensures every athlete, regardless of location, has access to a clearly defined and structured performance pathway.
To check if you fall into the Country or Metro pathway, use the Post Code Checker.
For Country Champs eligibility information, see the Rules of Operations.
The Sharks High Performance Program (SHPP) is an additional opportunity for committed VJBL athletes who want to take their game to the next level. SHPP focuses on advanced skill development, decision-making, and training habits that align with elite-level basketball.
Players must apply for selection to the Sharks High Performance Program. Applications will open after teams have been selected and finalised. Selection is based on attitude, aptitude, and attendance, not just talent alone.
The Program is designed to complement team training, not replace it, and represents our investment in helping players maximise their individual potential within the broader Sharks pathway.
The Sharks Development Camp is a key event on the SPBA calendar, usually held in late January each year. It is designed to accelerate player growth ahead of the VJBL season and is mandatory for all athletes selected in the program.
The camp includes a range of high-quality development opportunities, such as:
As part of our Sharks Development Camp, all VJBL athletes participate in an Athlete Combine facilitated by Peninsula Sports Performance (PSP). The combine is designed to measure key aspects of each athlete's physical performance, such as speed, agility, vertical leap, strength, and endurance.
This data helps us better understand where each athlete currently sits from a physical standpoint and where they have room to improve. After testing, each player receives a personalised Combine Results Package created by PSP, including a breakdown of athletic performance metrics, insights into strengths, and recommendations for areas that need further development.
The combine provides a great baseline for tracking growth across the season and allows players to take ownership of their physical development.
At Southern Peninsula, teams are selected based on athlete performance across our Try Out process. However, these teams are not final until the end of Grading Phase 1. We are committed to getting team placements right, and sometimes that means making adjustments in the first few weeks of the season. Players may be moved up or down a team if we feel that a different environment will better support their development or improve the overall team balance.
We try to only make changes in instances where we believe leaving a player in their originally selected team would be more detrimental to their growth than moving them. These decisions are made with careful consideration and always with the athlete's long-term development in mind. Clear communication and transparency will accompany any potential movement.
At Southern Peninsula, we rely on the support and involvement of our parent community to help deliver a high-quality experience for our athletes. As part of your commitment to the program, all parents are expected to assist with the following:
Your time and contribution help make our program possible, thank you for playing a role in your child's basketball journey.
If you do NOT wish for photographs of your child/children or you engaging in Junior Sharks activities to be published through our various media points for public relations purposes, please contact martin.ramos@sthpen.com.au. Possible uses of photographs include but are not limited to: SPBA Basketball, VJBL, Basketball Victoria & Basketball Australia websites, Facebook, Instagram and local newspapers.
Players who are not selected to represent Southern Peninsula in the 2026 VJBL season may be offered the opportunity to participate in our tournament-only teams, called Sharks Academy. Academy Teams compete in a number of tournaments throughout the season across the U10 and U12 age groups.
More information around training and tournament dates will be provided to families after the selection process.
If you are coming from another VJBL club, you must provide a Permission to Train form before participating in our Try Outs. A link to apply will be made available closer to trials.
Any athlete who has never played VJBL (representative) basketball or Sharks Academy before must attend the New Player Tryouts on Friday, 18th September.
Sharks Academy athletes are automatically invited to attend the October Tryouts.
You cannot attend the New Player Tryouts. You must register for the Existing Player Tryouts (1st–4th October).
No. All new players must attend the September tryout. Only players invited from that session can attend the October tryouts.
If an age group has a low number of registrations, those players may be invited directly to the October tryouts instead. This decision will be made within 24–48 hours of the scheduled September tryout.
Players should wear appropriate basketball attire: a reversible singlet (light and dark), and bring a basketball, a drink bottle, and plenty of energy!
Permission to Train applications will not open until 1st September, via the Basketball Victoria website. The application form will be made available closer to trials.
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