Dragons VJBL Tryouts Portal
Everything you need for Camberwell Dragons representative basketball tryouts — schedules, expectations, coaches and resources, all in one place.
The Club & The League
New to the Dragons or VJBL?
Start here — tap a question to learn more.
The Camberwell Dragons are the representative basketball teams of the Camberwell District Basketball Association (CDBA), competing in the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) and the Eastern Development League (EDL) against associations from across metropolitan and regional Victoria.
With more than 25 years of representative basketball history and around 62 teams competing each season, the Dragons are one of Melbourne’s largest and fastest-growing junior basketball programs. Our representative pathway provides talented young athletes with the opportunity to develop their skills, compete at a high level, and reach their full potential in a positive, safe and supportive environment.
Led by experienced coaches, the program focuses on player development, teamwork, sportsmanship and community, helping athletes grow both on and off the court while creating lifelong friendships and memorable experiences.
Join the Dragons and become part of something special.
The Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL), administered by Basketball Victoria, is the state’s premier representative basketball competition for junior athletes. The competition provides a high-performance pathway for players aged Under 12 to Under 20, with Under 12 to Under 18 games played on Friday nights and Under 20 competitions played on Sunday nights.
With approximately 1,500 teams competing each week and more than 20,000 games played each season, the VJBL is one of Australia’s largest and most competitive junior basketball leagues. It offers talented athletes the opportunity to compete at a higher level than domestic basketball while developing the skills, discipline and experience required to progress through the basketball pathway.
The VJBL has a strong history of developing elite talent, with Australian basketball stars including Josh Giddey, Ben Simmons, Ezi Magbegor and Rebecca Allen progressing through the representative pathway.
To ensure balanced and competitive games, teams are graded within their age group based on performance and ability. The highest level of competition is Victorian Championship (VC), followed by VJL1 to VJL4, with VJL5+ grades generally regionalised. This structure allows players and teams to compete against opponents of a similar standard while providing opportunities for ongoing development and progression.
For many players, domestic basketball is no longer enough of a challenge, but they may not yet be ready for, or able to commit to, the full representative basketball pathway. That’s where the Eastern Development League (EDL) comes in.
The EDL provides a high-quality, structured development pathway for players looking to bridge the gap between domestic basketball and VJBL representative competition.
Designed to mirror the representative basketball experience, the EDL offers:
✅ Competitive Friday night games
✅ Squad-based training led by Camberwell Dragons Coaches
✅ Representative-style team environments and squad sizes
✅ Increased intensity and skill development opportunities
Best of all, players can enjoy these development opportunities while continuing to play and compete close to home.
The EDL is the perfect environment for players to build their confidence, improve their skills, and prepare for the next stage of their basketball journey.
See our FAQs for 2027 Tryout Information – 2026-Dragons-EDL-Tryouts_FAQs_Website_July-28
What To Expect
Season Expectations
What a VJBL season with the Dragons involves for players and families.
The representative season runs from October to August/September, with training conducted throughout the year. As part of a high-performance program, players are expected to prioritise their basketball commitments. Families should carefully consider this expectation before attending tryouts and accepting a position within the program.
VJBL games for Under 12 to Under 18 teams are played on Friday nights at venues across metropolitan and regional Victoria. As a statewide competition, teams should expect regular travel throughout the season.
Dragons teams also participate in tournaments that provide valuable playing experience and support team development.
Compulsory
• Eltham Dandenong Tournament (Australia Day Weekend)
Recommended
• Southern Peninsula Representative Tournament
Optional
• Adelaide Easter Classic
• Nunawading Spectres Tournament (King’s Birthday Weekend)
These events offer additional competition opportunities while helping build team culture and camaraderie.
Registration Fees (2026-27)
- U12-18 Training twice per week – $780
- U12-18 Training once per week – $605
- Under 20: $495
- 8% discount for second and subsequent children (** please note- must be registered via the same PlayHq account for discount to be applied)
Additional Costs
- Weekly team sheet fees
- Uniforms
- Tournament entry fees
- Optional events and team photos
Uniform
All players are required to purchase the official Dragons uniform, including playing and training apparel. Details and pricing are provided following team selection.
Fees include training and game court hire, coaching, Australia Day Tournament team entry, and program administration.
Being part of the Dragons requires commitment from both players and families.
Players are expected to:
• Attend all games and training sessions, or notify their coach if unavailable.
• Arrive on time for games and training.
• Demonstrate commitment, effort, teamwork and a willingness to learn.
• Understand that court time is earned and determined by the coach.
• Adhere to all Camberwell Dragons uniform requirements.
Parents and guardians are expected to:
• Support their child’s commitment to the program.
• Assist with team scoring duties during the season.
• Participate in allocated Game Day duties at Big V home games.
• Follow club communication and feedback protocols when raising concerns.
Team selections are made by the coaching panel based on tryout performance, positional balance, attitude and coachability. Selection decisions are final — our selection policy explains the process in full.
2026/2027 Tryouts
26/27 VJBL Tryout Schedule
Select your division to view age groups, dates, times and venues.
Tryout Resources
Ready to become a Dragon?
Registration is required before attending any tryout session. Find your division and register today.