New Player Handbook by elthamwildcats

NEWPLAYER HANDBOOK

OVERVIEW

Thank you for joining the Eltham Wildcats family!

This handbook has been created to support new Eltham Wildcats players and their families as they begin their journey with the club

It is designed to provide clear and helpful information about our programs, pathways, and the many opportunities available within the club.

Inside, you will find details about training, competitions, expectations, and the range of services and activities we offer to support player development both on and off the court.

Our goal is to make your transition into the Wildcats community as smooth as possible. We hope this guide answers your questions, helps you feel connected, and ensures your experience at the club is positive, enjoyable, and rewarding for the whole family

ELTHAM WILDCATS BASKETBALL HISTORY

Founded in 1965 by David Hickman, Eltham Wildcats has been a cornerstone of Melbourne’s north-east community for generations As a basketball club steeped in history, we have stood the test of time while continuing to grow and evolve. Today, we are proud to be the largest basketball club in the region.

At Eltham Wildcats, we ’ re passionate about inclusion, development, and opportunity. We welcome players of all ages and abilities from as young as 3 through to 50+ and provide pathways both on and off the court.

Eltham Wildcats is more than just a basketball club; we are a connected community brought together by our shared love of the game. We strive to create a positive, supportive environment where everyone belongs, and every player has the chance to thrive

ELTHAM WILDCATS BASKETBALL

Development & Pathways

Player and coach development are central to our club. Programs such as Oz Ball, team training, development camps, and specialist clinics support players at every stage. Coaches and referees are equally supported through:

Formal accreditation courses

Mentoring opportunities

Referee development programs led by experienced evaluators

Administrator training programs

Tournaments & Community Impact

In partnership with Dandenong Rangers, the Wildcats co-host one of the largest junior basketball tournaments in the world. The Eltham-Dandenong Junior Basketball Tournament regularly attracts hundreds of teams from across Australia and overseas.

Governance & Volunteers

The Club operates under a structured governance model, with an elected General Committee and Executive Committee overseeing policy and direction. Multiple subcommittees support different areas of operation, assisted by administrative staff and venue personnel

We follow both Basketball Victoria policies and our own club policies, covering areas such as: Codes of Conduct, Team selection, Grievances and dispute resolution, Non-discrimination, Conflict of interest

While we continue to grow and improve, the club relies heavily on the dedication of volunteers coaches, team managers, committee members, and supporters who form the backbone of our community

Like any organisation, we face challenges and continue to learn and improve. However, our commitment remains the same: to provide a welcoming, inclusive, and high-quality basketball experience for all.

We warmly welcome new players and families to be part of the Eltham Wildcats community and to enjoy the great game of basketball together.

JUNIOR DOMESTIC COMPETITION

Eastern Districts Junior Basketball Association (EDJBA)

At the Eltham Wildcats, our Junior Domestic Competition teams compete in the Eastern Districts Junior Basketball Association (EDJBA).

The EDJBA is the largest junior basketball competition in Australia, with more than 1,500 teams and almost 12,000 players participating each season. It provides opportunities for players to compete on Saturdays at venues across Melbourne’s Eastern District

The competition caters for:

Under 8 to Under 21 in the Summer Season

Under 9 to Under 21 in the Winter Season.

The EDJBA is committed to being an inclusive, community-focused association, delivering a high-quality competition for players of all abilities. Its priority is to encourage participation in a safe, supportive, and enjoyable environment where young athletes can develop their skills and build a lifelong love of the game.

As an EDJBA player at Eltham Wildcats, you will have:

One training session per week (held Monday to Friday), and One game each Saturday during the season.

For more information about this program, please visit our website

JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE COMPETITION

Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL)

At the Eltham Wildcats, our Junior Representative Competition teams compete in the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL).

The VJBL is the premier junior representative basketball competition in Victoria, catering to elite players from Under 12 to Under 20. Games are played on Friday nights, with Under 20 played on Sundays. The league provides a high-level development pathway for athletes aspiring to compete at state, national, and senior representative levels

The VJBL features a graded structure designed to ensure strong and competitive matchups:

Victorian Championship (VC) – the highest division

Victorian Junior League (VJL 1–4)

Regional divisions

The VJBL season generally runs from November through to September.

Grading Phase One (then cross-over games)

Grading Phase Two (then cross-over games)

Championship Season Finals

Representative basketball requires a significantly higher commitment than domestic competition Players can expect:

Two training sessions per week , Weekly high-level games and additional tournaments

The VJBL pathway supports the development of players, coaches, and officials. It can lead to opportunities such as:

State team selection , National competitions and Senior representative programs, including pathways to NBL1

Team Selection Process

Teams are selected through a structured tryout process. A series of tryouts is held each October and is promoted via our website and social media channels

ELTHAM DANDENONG JUNIOR BASKETBALL TOURNEMNT (EDJBT)

At Eltham Wildcats, we encourage all teams to particpate in the EDJBT. For our Junior representative comeptition teams this is one of the tournamnets all of our representative teams are required to compete in.

The Largest Junior Basketball Tournament in the World

The EDJBT is one of the longest-running and largest junior basketball tournaments in the world Due to its size and outstanding organisation, the tournament caters to all ability levels making it the perfect way to prepare for the return to basketball following the summer holidays.

Eltham Wildcats Basketball and Dandenong Basketball Association work together to deliver the best possible tournament experience for teams from across Victoria, interstate, and overseas. The tournament regularly attracts more than 1,900 teams.

5 Guaranteed Games

Each team is guaranteed five games across the tournament weekend, with a large percentage of teams progressing to finals It’s the ideal opportunity for players to get valuable court time and build match fitness ahead of the Term 1 season.

Opportunity to Play a Variety of Opposition

With local, interstate, and international teams competing, players experience a diverse range of opposition A comprehensive grading system ensures teams are placed in the most suitable competition for their ability level. Dedicated to Being the Best

We are committed to maintaining the EDJBT as the premier open junior tournament on the Australian basketball calendar, continually striving to deliver an outstanding tournament experience for all participants

The tournament is held annually around the Australia Day public holiday. Official dates for the upcoming year, along with registration details and further information, are available on the EDJBT website.

NBL1

At the Eltham Wildcats, we proudly have both men ’ s and women ’ s teams in Big V and NBL1 South competitions.

NBL1 South

Our senior representative program competes in NBL1 South Conference Australia’s premier semi-professional basketball league. Launched in 2019 by the National Basketball League (NBL), NBL1 has unified state-based competitions into one national structure. It features over 70 clubs and 150+ teams across five conferences: North, South, East, West, and Central NBL1 provides a fast-paced, high-level competition and showcases some of the best emerging and established talent in Australian basketball

Key Details:

Season: March to August, finishing with a National Finals series

Pathway: A major development pathway to the NBL, WNBL, and international opportunities

Players: Teams often include NBL/WNBL athletes, elite local players, and international imports

Live Streaming: Games are streamed live and free via NBL1 com au and the NBL1 App

Support

the Wildcats

We encourage all players, families, and supporters to come along and watch our men ’ s and women ’ s teams in action.

Fixtures for both Big V and NBL1 South are available on our website. Come down, wear your Wildcats colours, and support our teams!

You can also purchse a Membership!

BIG V

At the Eltham Wildcats, we proudly have both men ’ s and women ’ s teams in Big V and NBL1 South competitions.

Big V

Our Wildcats also compete in Big V, Victoria’s premier state-based semi-professional competition, managed by Basketball Victoria.

Key Details:

Season: March to August

Structure:

Three levels of Senior competition and

Three levels of Youth League (including Under 23)

Coverage: Metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria Pathway: The next step for many athletes progressing from the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL)

Big V plays an important role in developing athletes into senior representative basketball and preparing them for higher-level competition. Our players participant in the Youth League competition.

Support the Wildcats

We encourage all players, families, and supporters to come along and watch our men ’ s and women ’ s teams in action.

Fixtures for both Big V and NBL1 South are available on our website Come down, wear your Wildcats colours, and support our teams!

You can also purchse a Membership!