The number of female basketballers in the Bellarine has more than doubled in two years

Hundreds of local basketballers are being sidelined each week in one massive catchment area as female participation has doubled over the past two years.

The Bellarine Peninsula Basketball Association has seen a huge increase in participation over the past two years. Picture: Bellarine Storm.

Close to 400 basketballers are being sidelined in the Bellarine each week as the local game has seen a “phenomenal” jump in female participation over the past two years.

New Bellarine Peninsula Basketball Association figures show there has been a sharp increase from 2021-22 to 23-24, with total numbers jumping from 437 to just on 1000 in two years.

New Bellarine president Gary Thompson said he was not surprised given the region’s increasing population, the association’s ability to promote the local game and new pathways for young girls.

In addition, the BPBA has three times been awarded the Basketball Victoria Country Commission Award for outstanding achievement for a large organisation in the state over the past six years.

The annual gong is given to organisations with more than 1500 registered participants, recognising participation, retention and growth among other things.

Basketball in the Bellarine is flourishing. Picture: Bellarine Storm.

“It’s a positive thing, it’s great,” Thompson said of the growth figures.

The Storm’s championship women’s team are also excelling in their first season in Big V’s top tier, currently third with a 5-2 record after being promoted.

However, he said the BPBA had “maxed out” in terms of facilities, with around 400 players forced to take a break each week.

“We’re nearly having 400 people a week on byes that can’t play basketball on the Peninsula,” he said.

“Simply because of a lack of facilities.

“It’s not just the playing but the training as well. We’ve maxed out and it’s a struggle.

“Everyone’s aware of it.”

He said growth would require funding support from all three levels of government with new facilities desperately needed.

“Our biggest issue out here is that we’ve run out of court space,” he said.

“We don’t have the cash, I don’t think the council’s got the cash.”

Meanwhile, he said a new WNBL team based in Geelong would be a further boon for female participation.

Geelong United is poised to attain the licence after the Melbourne Boomers relinquished it recently.

“Clearly it creates conversations and interest,” Thompson said.

“It’s a positive thing for Geelong United obviously and it’s a good thing for us.”

Bellarine manager Mark Brunger said it would inspire young girls, giving them the chance to play at the elite level in their own backyards without needing to relocate to further their career, as is the norm now.

“There’s no doubt that having a WNBL team in Geelong would play a big role in driving further female participation across the region,” Brunger said.

Originally published as The number of female basketballers in the Bellarine has more than doubled in two years