ABOUT VENOM

Warrandyte Venom is based at Warrandyte Sports Complex (Anderson Creek Primary School) and also uses Croydon Hills Primary School, Warrandyte High School,  Doncaster Secondary College as venues for training and games.

As is often the case in sport, it is taken for granted that new players or those looking to join from another club know what the program is about, how it fits into junior basketball, along with other important factors like costs, training sessions, coaches and playing times/venues.

This information is provided for prospective players & parents to help answer some of those questions and also provides you with a better understanding of the Venom program and the fantastic pathway it provides to young basketball players in our region.

Firstly, allow me to explain how the Venom program fits into the basketball pathway.

Basketball is one of the largest particiaption sports in Australia. Many of you are probably already involved with a school program or domestic club that plays on Saturdays (EDJBA - Redbacks / Steelers) or possibly in the Kilsyth competition (Magic / Phantoms  etc) all of which have fantastic programs and enjoy a very strong reputation for developing players and providing a family-friendly club.

Warrandyte Venom doesn’t compete in the same competition as these clubs, it is the next level up and represents the region. We play in the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL). Venom welcomes players from all local domestic clubs and provides them with an opportunity to play at the next level against other regions.

Our region includes areas such as Warrandyte, Park Orchards, Warrandyte South, Donvale, Doncaster East, Doncaster, Wonga Park, Warranwood, North Ringwood, Croydon North and Croydon Hills.

Warrandyte Venom is a part of Warrandyte Basketball Association and is administered by the WBA committee, with domestic clubs in the region feeding into the Venom program.

We encourage Venom players to keep playing at their domestic club. In most cases, once a player begins in the Venom program you will see their game rapidly improve at domestic level. Unlike some other rep-ball clubs, Venom does not stipulate which domestic club a player must play for - we very much want Venom players to stay loyal to their domestic club and continue playing there. We support all domestic clubs.

Our competition, the VJBL, is the highest level of junior basketball in Victoria. Games are played on Friday nights at venues across Melbourne.

More than 1200 teams from over 40 associations play in the VJBL. It is actually the biggest upper-level junior basketball competition in the world.

The VJBL caters for boys and girls with age groups starting at Under 12 and going to Under 14, Under 16, Under 18 and Under 20. Players can start in the Venom program from as young as 8.

We conduct selection tryouts each October and these are open to all players. We strongly encourage domestic players to attend and push for selection at the next level.

The VJBL season lasts a full year (not Summer & Winter like domestic) and runs from October through until the following September.

If the team your child plays in makes a Metropolitan Grade (high level) then there can be some travel, however the largest group of clubs are based in the East, North-East and South-East.

If the team your child plays in makes a Regional Grade (lower level) then the majority of your games will be at local venues (East). Remembering either way that you will also be playing at our home venues.

Training sessions are held at least once per week and run for a minimum of 90 minutes. These sessions are largely based on advanced teaching of skills, structures, fitness and overall discipline.

Training sessions are held at Warrandyte Sports Complex , Luther College , Warrandyte High School and Croydon Hills Primary School.

Many Venom coaches do not have children in the program, they are dedicated to coaching and do so at the representative level with Venom.

The Venom program has a full player pathway in place, from U12s through to youth and senior teams in the Statewide Big V competition. In 2016, more than 80% of our youth and senior Big V players were current or former Venom junior players.

Generally, annual registration costs $450, while the uniform is purchased (and owned) for about $60 for a singlet and $50 for shorts. Other merchandise is available, however you can purchase this as you please. All up, the fees and charges at Venom continue to be amongst the cheapest in rep-ball, if not the lowest across the entire VJBL.

Every Venom team competes in a minimum of two tournaments per year, which usually involves between 5-8 games over a weekend. These tournaments prove to be fantastic for the players and the parents. We encourage teams to compete in a number of tournaments, including Australia Day weekend) and Queen’s Birthday weekend.

The Venom program is very family friendly. We conduct a number of club functions each year and strongly encourage our teams to also hold team functions or activities.

Our selection policy at youth level requires every player to be a current or former Warrandyte player, which enhances the opportunities for juniors coming through the ranks and hopefully provides all junior players with goals to aim for.

No senior players are paid at Warrandyte Basketball, the club preferring instead to pour all revenue, fundraising dollars and sponsorship back into the program, particularly the juniors where our stars of tomorrow are currently developing and honing their skills.

Like all clubs, we strive for success and we have a large dependency on volunteers. Venom is a happy, friendly club where a strong community spirit thrives.

If you would like to know more about Venom please feel free to contact the club administration (admin@warrandytebasketball.net.au)

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