I am the parent of a passionate 11 year old boy who is obsessed with basketball. He is part of Hawthorn Magic, a Club with 310 other passionate kids who love their sport.

All the kids and families who have been a part of this amazing club are saddened to hear that Basketball Victoria Board have made the decision to discontinue the Junior Championship program by choosing not to enter teams into the Victorian Junior Basketball League. There will be NO Hawthorn Magic Representative basketball for 310 girls and Boys for the 2023 Season.  They will effectively all play their last Game EVER in a few weeks time.

I struggle to accept that the governing body (Basketball Victoria) of a sport has decided to shut the door on hundreds of junior athletes who just want to participate in the sport that they love by playing for the club that they love.

Not only is this devastating for Hawthorn Magic kids, but there will be a flow on effect for all junior basketballers at local clubs in the area. Parents with players at opposition neighbouring clubs fear that their children will not be successful in making a team next season as a consequence of this decision of the Basketball Victoria Board. At a minimum these players risk being placed in lower teams due to Hawthorn players taking places in the higher ranked teams. This is not fair to Magic players, and its not fair for the surrounding clubs players. There are no winners here.  

Children feel that they have been forced to leave the community that they love being a part of. After 2 years of Covid, this decision has come as a complete shock, and parents have done so much to try to save the club, including a submission to Basketball Victoria that proved its viability and sustainability. Rather than embrace and build our community club at a time when there should be a focus on increasing participation in sport post COVID, Basketball Victoria have instead decided to reduce participation. Ultimately the kids in our local area will suffer as a result.

We call on all members of the basketball community to please help us by signing the petition. Please add your comments about how it will affect you, regardless of what club you belong to.

Basketball Victoria have clearly made the wrong decision and it needs to be reversed.  Our kids need this great club to continue.

Thank you so much. Please share and sign !