Bendigo Basketball Association runs junior and senior domestic competitions out of Red Energy Arena, alongside the Braves representative programs. It fields teams from NBL1 down to wheelchair basketball, and runs entry programs for very young children.
Written by Cameron James, founder and head coach at Liddicoat Basketball. Coaching juniors in Victoria for nearly a decade.
Last updated August 2026.
Bendigo Basketball Association, BBA, runs basketball for Bendigo out of Red Energy Arena. The Braves name covers everything from the youngest programs up to two NBL1 teams.
What stands out at Bendigo is the breadth. Alongside standard junior and senior competition it runs wheelchair basketball, an all abilities program and walking basketball, which is a wider spread than most associations of its size manage.
Bendigo runs a ladder of entry programs before competition, which is useful if your child is too small for a graded team.
| Program | What it is |
|---|---|
| Iddy Biddy Hoopers | The youngest entry program |
| Little Hoopers | Early skills before competition |
| Aussie Hoops | The national entry program |
| FUNdamentals | Skill foundations |
| Junior Braves | Development toward representative basketball |
| Access All Abilities | Inclusive basketball |
| Wheelchair Hoops Program | Wheelchair basketball for juniors |
Junior domestic runs across multiple age groups and is open entry, so there's no tryout to get a child into a team.
Bendigo also enters teams into the Victorian Junior Basketball League. As with Ballarat, that means regional families travel to play Melbourne associations, so a VJBL season out of Bendigo is a significantly larger commitment than the same season would be for a metro family.
The association's primary facility. Reception is on 03 5440 6200, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Ring reception on 03 5440 6200 with your child's age. If they're very young, Iddy Biddy Hoopers or Little Hoopers is the start rather than a domestic team.
For the Junior Braves you need to go through a tryout rather than registering, and those are generally held around October for the following season.
Red Energy Arena is the association's primary facility. Reception is on 03 5440 6200, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
The Braves. There are NBL1 men's and women's teams, Country Basketball League teams, an Under 23s Big V Youth League side and the Junior Braves development program.
Iddy Biddy Hoopers is the youngest entry program, with Little Hoopers, Aussie Hoops and FUNdamentals sitting between that and graded competition.
Yes. The Roller Braves play wheelchair basketball and there's a junior Wheelchair Hoops Program, plus an Access All Abilities program and walking basketball.
Other associations in regional Victoria
Next questions parents ask
Every competition in this guide
Online coaching works the same wherever you live. A plan built for your child and a check in every week.