Basketball finds a home in Point Lonsdale

THE Point Lonsdale Basketball Club is one of the biggest local winners in this year’s state budget, securing much-needed funds to upgrade its training facilities.

With up to $200,000 in funding allocated, the club will gain an extra court, be able to resurface the court

it currently uses at Point Lonsdale Primary School, upgrade its backboards, and purchase all new equipment, including adjustable rings more suited to its under 10 players.

When club president Benjamin Van Doren heard the news, he almost fell over.

“This gives us the opportunity to give [the kids] safer courts – still outdoor, we still need an indoor court – but it gives us the opportunity to actually coat the courts better and gives us some adjustable rings for the younger players.

“It’s everything that we need right now, so it’s going to really hit the mark with us.”

Most importantly, he said, it will allow the club to begin building a true home.

“We’ve basically just been turning up whenever we can turn up, but we can actually create a home for basketball in Point Lonsdale which is what we’ve been trying to achieve.”

Established just three years ago with 10 players, the Point Lonsdale Basketball Club (PLBC) has quickly swelled in number to 160, as both participation and interest in the sport continues to grow across the Bellarine.

But its training facilities – outdoor asphalt courts with “abrasive” and uncoated surfaces – have long been of concern, motivating the club to launch an ambitious fundraising campaign last year in an effort to fund the upgrades themselves.

Mr Van Doren praised the advocacy of Bellarine MP Alison Marchant, who helped the club secure the funding.

“She was pretty happy to be able to give us the money. She sent me a message and I thought she’d put an extra zero on there,” he said.

Ms Marchant said it had become clear the outdoor court at Point Lonsdale Primary School was in urgent need of resurfacing and celebrated the club’s budget win.

“The Point Lonsdale Basketball Club began with a simple goal: a group of enthusiastic primary school girls wanting to play basketball. Today,

it has grown into a thriving and successful club, providing fantastic opportunities for children across the Bellarine to enjoy the game and stay active,” she said.

“I’m proud to support PLBC – an inspiring club that not only raised awareness of their facility challenges but also fundraised, brought the community on board, and advocated strongly for local support.

“In addition to this commitment, I look forward to continuing to work with all club and the Bellarine Basketball Association to address the growing popularity of basketball and the demands on courts.”