Chargers seek interest for 2022 Big V sides

THE Surfcoast Chargers basketball is turning the page of its next chapter following the announcement the club is seeking expressions of interest for Big V players in 2022.

The Surf Coast’s representative basketball side has been eyeing up joining the Big V for approximately 18 months according to club president Dave Scott.

This latest announcement comes on the back of the club forming its first ever men’s and women’s Country Basketball League (CBL) teams for the 2021/22 campaign.

“Us transitioning to Big V during the winter is a part of our club’s pathways program,” Scott said.

“We want to create a pathway that starts as far down to our Aussie Hoops all the way up to our senior elite men’s and women’s sides.
“That way, every youngster or adult that starts basketball can play with us and represent their hometown on the Surf Coast.”

If the Chargers can garner enough interest in both its men’s and women’s teams, interested players will then take part in the necessary trial phase where the club will employ its independent selection panel to select the final squads prior to the Big V’s season tip-off in March.

Scott also understands the rise in competition and calibre of opponents that comes with playing Big V basketball due to the sheer breadth of teams that compete in the statewide league.

“It’s definitely a step up in quality of competition,” Scott said.

“It’s a competition where we face metro sides that are based in Melbourne, so it’ll be a combination of metropolitan and regional sides that we compete against in the division we enter.

“The Big V also requires a step up in commitment as well when compared to the CBL. The season will run through until October, so it will be a longer season.”

Surfcoast’s president hopes to be able to smoothly transition the majority of the club’s current CBL rosters to their Big V sides.

If the club can do that, Scott says it will make forming prospective Big V squads a more seamless process.

“This is a landmark moment for our senior competition at an elite level,” he said.

“If Big V sides can be formed following the expressions of interest phase, it will hopefully be another stepping stone towards leagues like the NBL and further afield for players here on the Surf Coast.”

The Chargers are urging interested players to express interest by submitting their name, date of birth, mobile number, email address and basketball experience to [email protected] or contacting Adam Forde on 0434 635 020.