Bellbrae Primary provides relief for local basketball

DOMESTIC basketball on the Surf Coast will receive some relief as early as this week with an additional venue becoming available in recent days.

In a statement made by the Surfcoast Basketball Association (SBA) yesterday morning (Saturday, May 27), Bellbrae Primary School has made available its newly constructed gym and will provide an extra court for the region’s basketballers.

“Surfcoast Basketball Association would like to welcome Bellbrae Primary School into our competition venue locations,” the statement said.

“From next week, domestic competition games will be fixtured at Bellbrae Primary School.

“Parking is street parking only and please be advised that there is no food to be brought into the stadium just drink bottles only.”

According to the Victorian School Buildings Authority website, the new gym was part of a $9.1 million project, which included open learning spaces and new science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) facilities; and a refurbishment of the school oval.

For the first time in SBA history, the association was forced to turn away domestic competition sides for the winter season due to capacity restrictions.

 The SBA has 226 basketball teams and more than 2,000 players competing during the 2023 winter season, ranging from Under 8s through to Open Age competitions from Monday to Friday.

“The same guidelines apply across all stadiums,” the statement continued.

“[All entrants must adhere to the] SBA codes of conduct, only players and coaches to sit on the bench and no basketballs to be brought into the stadium.

The SBA urged all domestic competition players and coaches to check their fixtures for any venue changes for next week and beyond.

SBA domestic competitions are now held at Wurdi Baierr Stadium (four courts), Torquay College (two courts), Torquay Coast Primary School (one court), Armstrong Creek School (one court), and Bellbrae Primary School (one court).