Melb Utd Victorian Junior Basketball League (MUVJBL) is state-wide Representative Basketball which provides the highest level of junior competition in Victoria. The competition includes U12 to U21 age groups, in a graded structure from Victorian Junior Championship League to the Regional competition.
Representative Basketball is played on Friday evenings in and around metropolitan Melbourne between 6pm and 11pm.
Hawthorn Junior Magic was established to give keen junior basketball players an opportunity to participate at a more competitive level against teams from other Associations in and around Melbourne and Vic Country associations.
For the 2018/19 season Hawthorn Junior Magic entered 42 teams into the MUVJBL competition.
The MUVJBL Levels of Competition are:
Victorian Championship League
This is the highest level in each age group comprising the best 20 teams in Victoria.
Victorian Junior League
This is the the second highest level comprising 4 divisions which teams are graded across.
Victorian Regional League
This league is the third level, teams are graded into regions North, South, East and Central across 4 levels.
Age Groupings for 2018/19 Season
One of the most frequently questions asked is about age groupings.
Each age group consists of a 24 month window which determines an athletes’ participation in that division.
Under 12 – 2008 & 2009
Under 14 – 2006 & 2007
Under 16 – 2004 & 2005
Under 18 – 2002 & 2003
Under 21 – 1999, 2000,2001
Junior players from U18s and below will spend two years in each of the age groups.
The age group classifications for all players is the same as the HBA’s domestic competition where there are also top and bottom age players playing in the same age groups.
MUVJBL Season
At present, the Representative season is played for nearly twelve months commencing, with the annual “Magic Trial” phase in October leading into the MUVJBL Schedule.
1. Magic Trials and Selection Phase – October
2. Practice matches during tryouts – early to mid-November
3. Grading Season – mid-November to following March.
4. Championship Season – March through to mid-August.
5. Finals – late August to mid-September
The basketball year concludes mid-December and recommences mid/late January in preparation for the Eltham Dandenong Tournament on the Australia Day long weekend.
