Frankston basketball competition bursting at the seams
Published on 10 March 2022
There’s no doubt Frankston basketball is experiencing a period of rapid growth.
The Frankston and District Basketball Association is one of the top 3 basketball associations in Victoria with 15,000 games scheduled a year, a staggering 900 teams and over 8,000 participants. The competition has boomed with 5,000 participants in 2013 rising to an incredible 8,300 participants in 2019.
Frankston and District Basketball Association CEO, Wayne Holdsworth explains the rising popularity of the game:
“We’ve always been a bit of nursery of basketball talent down here in Frankston and our Mini Hoops and Aussie Hoops programs, the basketball equivalent of Auskick, have created a huge pipeline of basketball players and demand for competition courts. Our Aussie Hoops program is the second largest in the country.
“We have some big names training down here at the stadium including Frankston born and bred ex-NBA star, Ryan Broekhoff and Lachie Barker who both play for the South East Melbourne Phoenix as well as Opal Olympian, Tessa Lavey and Darcee Garbin Opal Squad member and World cup starter who both play for our NBL1 team.”
“The pathway for juniors has never been more defined with Mini Hoops, Aussie Hoops, Domestic Junior, the Frankston Blues Representative Youth League, NBL1, NBL and possible Boomers and NBA as both Ryan and David Andersen have achieved. Local kids can see that success and they’re inspired.”
“Basketball is an attractive proposition for parents and carers who want to get their kids into a team sport. You play inside, it’s fast and furious, you don’t need much kit and registration fees are, for the most part, more than manageable,” said Mr Holdsworth.
The Frankston and District Basketball Association Mini Hoops and Aussie Hoops participation numbers are the highest they’ve been since records began in 2017 with over 500 children playing in 2021/2022.
“Kids have bounced back into basketball in record numbers and we’re exceeding capacity when it comes to scheduling competitions and game days. We could fill another 6 courts now.
“As well as the Frankston Basketball Stadium, we use 8 different satellite locations including local high schools to accommodate our Saturday completion,” explained Mr Holdsworth.
Frankston City Mayor, Nathan Conroy said the city has been long crying out for a larger stadium to accommodate participants who travel from far and wide to play basketball.
“During normal domestic competition Frankston Basketball Stadium sees at least 5,000 people walk through the stadium doors each Saturday from all over the south-east of Melbourne including the City of Casey and the Mornington Peninsula,” said the Mayor.
“With Youth league and NBL1 games, that swells to 6,500 each Saturday. That is more than 4 times the average crowd of local community football on Saturday.”
"We've been working alongside the FDBA over recent years to develop plans for improved basketball facilities for Frankston City, with Council committing $15 million to transform the Bardia Avenue site into a new-look Frankston Basketball and Gymnastics Stadium with the Bayside Gymnastics Club."
“It’s now critical we see Council’s commitment matched with equal $15 million contribution from our federal and state counterparts as we head into this important double election year,” said the Mayor.
“We are working hand in hand with the Frankston District Basketball Association and the Bayside Gymnastics Club to advocate for funding for this much needed facility and we look forward to hearing from local candidates over the coming months.”
Basketball Victoria CEO Nick Honey said:
“We’re excited to see Frankston District Basketball Stadium secure $15 million in funding from Frankston City Council.
“The Frankston District Basketball Association is one of Victoria’s biggest associations and with basketball being one of the most popular and accessible sports for all ages, it’s important to have modern infrastructure to support our sport’s growth, particularly in the City of Frankston.
“Adding new stadiums and improving indoor community facilities is important for health and well-being outcomes of all Victorians. We have a great track record of collaboration with other indoor sports like gymnastics or netball to ensure facilities are truly community focused and we look forward to seeing this stadium redevelopment brought to life.”
Council has developed concept designs for the new stadium which will include:
- Two new multi-sport basketball courts
- Full redevelopment of courts 7 and 8 as multi-purpose basketball courts
- Refurbishment works to bring courts 1, 2, 3 and 4 up to code requirements
- Improved entrances, foyer, office, kiosk and storage spaces
- Gymnastics hall, training pit and support facilities
- Mezzanine spectator viewing over the gymnastics hall and multi-purpose basketball courts 7 and 8
- Precinct improvements such as landscaping, pedestrian and cycling access, car parking
- Future-proofing for additional basketball courts
For more information about Frankston City Council’s advocacy program and to register for regular updates, visit www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Advocacy