The Warrandyte Basketball Association (WBA) is a prominent sports club located in Melbourne, Australia. Since its establishment in 1965, the WBA has grown to become one of the strongest and most successful basketball associations in the region. With a rich history and a strong community presence, the club is dedicated to promoting the game of basketball within the local community and providing opportunities for people of all ages to learn, develop, and enjoy the sport.
The WBA proudly runs several teams, clubs, and programmes. The Warrandyte Redbacks is a collection of boys and girls teams ranging from U8 to U20, competing in the Saturday EDJBA competition. The Warrandyte Junior Venom comprises U12 to U20 junior representative teams participating in the state-wide VJBL competition on Friday nights. Furthermore, the club offers the Big V Development Programme, a skills acceleration programme specifically designed for talented boys and girls within the Warrandyte Junior Venom Programme who have the potential to play for the Big V, Victoria's peak senior representative competition.
Competing in the Big V competition, the Warrandyte Men's and Women's teams have achieved success, with the Women's team attaining championship status, the Men's team in Division 1, the Women's Youth team in Division 1, and the Men's Youth team also competing in Division 1.
The WBA takes pride in having over 1000 active participants from more than 600 local families. The club has established strong community relationships with local businesses and organisations. The success and growth of the WBA can be attributed to the dedication and hard work of a small group of volunteers who manage the club's activities. Additionally, the club recognises its responsibility within the community and offers financial assistance where needed.
With a focus on fostering strong family and community connexions, the WBA provides a place for individuals with varying skill levels to participate and places great importance on establishing and maintaining a positive club culture.
The WBA operates in accordance with its mission statement, which is to promote the game of basketball within the local community and provide individuals with the opportunity to learn, develop, and enjoy the sport based on their individual abilities and aspirations. The club aims to achieve this through professionalism in conducting its business, being accountable to all stakeholders, earning respect within the basketball community, being a valuable member of the local community, respecting the needs of all stakeholders, and managing its finances responsibly.
The current Warrandyte Basketball Association committee, as of the 2019 Annual General Meeting, consists of President Emma MacDougal (Birkett), Vice President Cathy Davidson, Secretary Jacqui Thompson, Treasurer Leanne Whitmore, and general committee members Davin Carnes, Briony Wylde, Nellie Tamburro, Rachael Curtis, and Carla Oxnam. The committee holds monthly meetings on the third Sunday of each month at Warrandyte Sports Complex. Any inquiries can be directed to WBA Administrator David Lawson between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM weekdays.
The WBA also holds an Annual General Meeting that is open to all members. During this meeting, the club discusses important matters and decisions are made. The most recent Annual General Meeting was held on Sunday, November 24, 2019, at Warrandyte Sports Complex, where the current executive team consisting of President Emma MacDougal (Birkett), Vice President Cathy Davidson, Treasurer Leanne Whitmore, and Secretary Jacqui Thompson, as well as several general committee members, were elected.
The WBA values transparency and provides its members with access to President's Reports and financial reports from previous years. These reports, prepared for the Annual General Meeting in 2017, can be found on the club's website.
Throughout its history, the WBA has been led by many past presidents, including individuals such as Darryl Valentine, Jan Van Kuvk, Frank Harper, Neno De Pardo, and others who have contributed to the club's growth and success.
In conclusion, the Warrandyte Basketball Association is a prominent and successful sports club in Melbourne, offering a range of programmes and opportunities for basketball enthusiasts of all ages. With a strong community presence and dedication to promoting the sport within the local area, the WBA continues to thrive and provide a place for individuals to learn, develop, and enjoy basketball.