The JCBL was proposed in August, with a tentative October start date put in place, but Basketball Victoria was forced to pull the pin after coronavirus restrictions increased.
Now — hopefully — it’s back, with the regional competition between towns from Seymour to Yarrawonga looking at a January 29 start date.
Gators president Michelle Judd said tryouts for representative sides would begin on November 29 and December 6 — assuming coronavirus restrictions continue to ease this weekend.
“We’re still waiting for Sunday’s announcement about indoor density,” Judd said.
“We’re hoping for 50 per stadium, that way we can run five-on-five instead of just three-on-three.”
She said children were champing at the bit to get back playing.
“The kids are ready, they just want to get onto the court playing the game they love,” Judd said.
“It’s been a tough year for them.”
Judd said she wanted as many as possible at tryouts, with the option to add more sessions or split sessions up as required by density limits — something the new president never thought she’d have to take into account for basketball.
“It might not be possible, depending on numbers we might need to do them all at once … we just have to be adaptable and adapt on the fly,” she said.
Judd said while it would be sad to be looking at a 2021 without tournaments, with restrictions not expected to be loose enough for pre-COVID-19 style events, but the JCBL was something she supported.
“I’m really excited by it,” Judd said.
“Everyone loves tournaments, but life has changed, financial situations have changed.”
The Gators have also announced their coaching roster for 2021, with Josh Waight moving down to under-14s and CBL men's coach Matthew Bartlett taking the reins of the under-18 boys.
Head to the Greater Shepparton Basketball Association and Shepparton Gators Facebook page for more.
Gators coaches
U12 girls Troy Lundburg
U12 boys Liz Carty
U14 girls Charles Moffatt
U14 boys Josh Waight
U16 girls Liam Wright
U16 boys Paul Whitelaw
U18 girls Chris Judd
U18 boys Matthew Bartlett
CBL women Darren Burn
CBL men Matthew Bartlett
