VJBL 2026/27
Cougars
tryouts portal.
Everything you need for McKinnon Cougars tryouts: who should register, the schedule, and what the season asks of players and families.
Step 1
Which player
are you?
Please check your child’s status before you register. Registering in the wrong group may mean they cannot try out.
New representative playerRegistration closed
Never played VJBL before.
These tryouts are done and registration is closed. Successful players have been contacted to move on to the representative player tryouts.
Returning Cougars playerAttend rep player tryouts
Last played VJBL for the McKinnon Cougars.
All returning players must attend the representative player tryouts. This includes players from 2025/26 or earlier seasons who have not played VJBL for any other association since, including any grading period.
Transferring representative playerPTT form needed first
Last played VJBL for another club.
Players transferring to the Cougars need a completed Permission To Train (PTT) form before they attend tryouts. This includes players from 2025/26 or earlier seasons, for any other association, including any grading period.
Request a Permission To Train (PTT). This is a Basketball Victoria form, and it must be done before a player goes on court.
Step 2
Tryout
schedule.
Times for the 2026/27 VJBL tryouts. Scrimmage nights are in maroon.
Under 12 Boys
New to rep tryouts
These tryouts are done and registration is closed. Successful players have been contacted to move on to the representative player tryouts.
Returning rep player tryouts
| Tue 6/10 | 5:15pm to 6:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Thu 8/10 | 5:15pm to 6:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Tue 13/10 | 5:15pm to 6:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Fri 16/10 | 6:30pm to 7:30pm at Bentleigh SC, intra club scrimmage |
Under 12 Girls
New to rep tryouts
These tryouts are done and registration is closed. Successful players have been contacted to move on to the representative player tryouts.
Returning rep player tryouts
| Mon 5/10 | 5:15pm to 6:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Wed 7/10 | 5:15pm to 6:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Mon 12/10 | 5:15pm to 6:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Fri 16/10 | 6:30pm to 7:30pm at GESAC, intra club scrimmage |
Under 14 Boys
New to rep tryouts
These tryouts are done and registration is closed. Successful players have been contacted to move on to the representative player tryouts.
Returning rep player tryouts
| Tue 6/10 | 6:45pm to 8:00pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Thu 8/10 | 6:45pm to 8:00pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Tue 13/10 | 6:45pm to 8:00pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Fri 16/10 | 7:30pm to 8:30pm at Bentleigh SC, intra club scrimmage |
Under 14 Girls
New to rep tryouts
These tryouts are done and registration is closed. Successful players have been contacted to move on to the representative player tryouts.
Returning rep player tryouts
| Mon 5/10 | 6:45pm to 8:00pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Wed 7/10 | 6:45pm to 8:00pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Mon 12/10 | 6:45pm to 8:00pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Fri 16/10 | 7:30pm to 8:30pm at GESAC, intra club scrimmage |
Under 16 Boys
New to rep tryouts
These tryouts are done and registration is closed. Successful players have been contacted to move on to the representative player tryouts.
Returning rep player tryouts
| Tue 6/10 | 8:15pm to 9:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Thu 8/10 | 8:15pm to 9:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Tue 13/10 | 8:15pm to 9:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Fri 16/10 | 8:30pm to 9:30pm at Bentleigh SC, intra club scrimmage |
Under 16 Girls
New to rep tryouts
These tryouts are done and registration is closed. Successful players have been contacted to move on to the representative player tryouts.
Returning rep player tryouts
| Mon 5/10 | 8:15pm to 9:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Wed 7/10 | 8:15pm to 9:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Mon 12/10 | 8:15pm to 9:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Fri 16/10 | 8:30pm to 9:30pm at GESAC, intra club scrimmage |
Under 18 Boys
New to rep tryouts
There are no new to rep tryouts for Under 18 Boys. All athletes trial in Phase 2.
Returning rep player tryouts
| Tue 6/10 | 8:15pm to 9:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Thu 8/10 | 8:15pm to 9:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Tue 13/10 | 8:15pm to 9:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Fri 16/10 | 8:30pm to 9:30pm at Bentleigh SC, intra club scrimmage |
Under 18 Girls
New to rep tryouts
There are no new to rep tryouts for Under 18 Girls. All athletes trial in Phase 2.
Returning rep player tryouts
| Mon 5/10 | 8:15pm to 9:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Wed 7/10 | 8:15pm to 9:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Mon 12/10 | 8:15pm to 9:30pm at Bentleigh SC |
| Fri 16/10 | 8:30pm to 9:30pm at GESAC, intra club scrimmage |
Player ID
Tryout
identification.
For returning Cougars, transferring players and progressing new to rep athletes.
Tryout ID numbers will be published and emailed on Thursday 1 October at 5:00pm. Players who registered on or after Wednesday 30 September may not be on the lists. They will get a number at sign in.
After tryouts
Made the
team?
Key information for successful athletes once they accept a spot for 2026/27.
About the program
What are the
Cougars and VJBL?
Who are we?
McKinnon Basketball Association started in 1991 to give families in Glen Eira, Bayside and Kingston access to basketball programs and competitions.
We have grown every year, in our domestic competition and our representative program, the McKinnon Cougars.
The Cougars field boys and girls teams from U12 to U20 in the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL). Players come from our nine domestic clubs and want to take their game further.
Players are picked through tryouts held in September and October each year. In season, Cougars have 3 compulsory sessions a week: two trainings and one game, not counting holidays.
What is VJBL?
The VJBL is Victoria’s top junior representative competition, run by Basketball Victoria.
- Teams from U12 to U20
- Games mostly on Friday nights, all over Victoria
- Teams play representative associations from across the state
- A clear pathway to senior, state and national opportunities
- Players represent their association, not their domestic team
What makes VJBL different?
- A higher level of players and coaches
- More training and development
- More commitment and accountability
- A taste of high performance environments and pathways
Season expectations
Cougars
2026/27.
Please read these before you register for tryouts.
Training and commitments
Every player in the representative program must attend 2 compulsory midweek training sessions each week, not counting school holidays. Training times are published once teams are picked and run between Monday and Thursday.
We love multi sport athletes, but Cougars commitments must come first. Missing full sessions every week is not acceptable.
If another sport clashes with training, email highperformance@mckinnonbasketball.org so we can work out the effect on the team.
Training is at Bentleigh Secondary College or Brighton Secondary College. Arrive 15 minutes early to stretch, roll and get ready for a hard session.
Games
- When: Friday nights. Younger age groups start from 6:30pm, older age groups as late as 9:40pm.
- Where: home games at GESAC or Bentleigh Secondary College. Away venues change each week.
- Arrive: 30 minutes before tip off, in full uniform.
Uniform
Players must wear Cougars branded tops (hoodie or warm up top) as their outer layer to and from games. It builds our culture and shows McKinnon in a professional way.
New players must buy the compulsory player pack after registering:
- Reversible training singlet
- Training shorts
- Reversible playing singlet
- Playing shorts
- Warm up T shirt
- Hoodie
- Backpack or duffel bag
Total cost of the compulsory uniform is about $325. Socks, beanies, scarves, tracksuit pants and more are in the club shop.
Court time
The Cougars is a representative program, so equal court time is not guaranteed. Court time is earned and is up to the coach, based mainly on the 3 As:
- Attitude: positive behaviour, coachability and being a great teammate.
- Aptitude: performance, skill and understanding of team concepts.
- Attendance: turning up to training, games and team activities.
Coaches also weigh up game situations, team balance and each player’s development. In higher teams and in finals, court time is more and more based on performance.
Fees and costs
Fees can change from year to year.
- Registration: $670 for the first child, $650 for each child after that
- Team sheet fees: $704
- Uniform starter pack: about $325
- Tournaments: about $30 each, depending on the tournament
Domestic competition
Every eligible junior who plays for the Cougars, including new players, must be registered with a McKinnon domestic club by the Winter season. Not meeting this may affect eligibility.
Special consideration is only given in exceptional cases under the MBA Domestic By Laws. To apply for an exemption, email highperformance@mckinnonbasketball.org.
Behaviour and policies
Parents
- Encourage players, coaches and the team.
- Do not yell instructions from the sideline.
- Do not undermine coaches or players in front of the kids.
- No yelling at, abusing or arguing with referees.
- Supervise your children and their behaviour at all times.
- No gifts to coaches or officials during the season. End of season team gifts are fine.
Parents must follow the Parent Code of Conduct. Players must follow the Player Code of Conduct. Breaches can lead to suspension or deregistration.
Pathways and eligibility
- Selection: from MBA domestic players, or players who join the MBA competition after selection.
- Eligibility: players must keep playing in the MBA domestic competition.
- Exemptions: apply by email. Considered on specific grounds, such as state level sport.
- Onboarding: players and parents must complete, sign and follow the onboarding for the whole season.
VJBL 2026/27