Blackburn Vikings Basketball is a sports club based in Melbourne, Australia. Established in 2017, the club was formed by merging the Blackburn Vikings Basketball Association and the Nunawading Vikings Basketball Club.
The Blackburn Vikings Basketball Association (BVBA) was founded in 1990 with the goal of providing opportunities for Nunawading Vikings domestic players to compete in elite level state junior competitions organised by the VBA. Led by Norm Young as President, Mark Evans as Secretary, and Ray Cowin as Treasurer, the club focused on creating a safe and structured environment for youth to learn and play basketball. These principles continue to be at the core of the club's philosophy.
Over the years, the club has grown and flourished, producing a high number of teams that compete at Vic Championship and high Metro levels, as well as State Representatives. In 2014, Blackburn Vikings entered 25 boys and girls teams in various age levels, including 4 Vic Championship teams. The club prides itself on offering quality coaching and ongoing development programmes for its coaches, which serves as a foundation for its successful junior programme.
Blackburn Vikings Basketball provides young players with opportunities to pursue a career in basketball by offering the ability to play at the highest junior level, participate in tours to the USA (a regular feature of the programme), and progress through to the senior ranks in the state-wide Big V competition. The club also emphasises the importance of maintaining a core of senior teams composed of Blackburn Vikings junior players.
The future of BVBA looks promising, with a strong financial base and ongoing initiatives on and off the court. The club is well-positioned to thrive in a competitive environment and to achieve sustainable success.
The Nunawading Vikings Basketball Club, one of the clubs that merged to form Blackburn Vikings Basketball, began as part of the St Andrews Presbyterian Church Boys Club. Led by Ian Lowe and Don Richards, an experienced basketball player and coach, the club started with one team in the Melbourne East Basketball Association (MEBA) under the name Nunawading Presbyterian Basketball Club (NPBC). Training initially took place in the church hall and later on an outdoor court built by club members and their parents.
Overall, Blackburn Vikings Basketball has a rich and vibrant history, combining the legacies of two successful clubs to create a united and thriving sports organisation. The club's commitment to developing young players, providing quality coaching, and fostering a safe and structured environment exemplifies its dedication to the sport of basketball.