13 October, 2025
Kym Cheeseman
Victoria, Melbourne - The inaugural Victorian Wheelchair Basketball League (VWBL) season came to an exciting close on Saturday, with the Kilsyth Cobras taking out the 2025 VWBL Championship title at the State Basketball Centre.
The finals capped off a fantastic first season for the new statewide competition, which brought together six associations:
- Frankston
- Kilsyth
- Wyndham
- Geelong
- Bendigo
- Diamond Valley
The VWBL provides Victorian athletes with a competitive pathway to represent their associations, while showcasing the depth of wheelchair basketball talent across the state. The 2025 season ran across four weekends, with rounds hosted in Bendigo, Geelong, Kilsyth, and the State Basketball Centre.
The Kilsyth Cobras, led by coaches Amanda Carter and Campbell Message, claimed the championship after a dominant performance throughout the season. Wyndham, guided by Coach of the Year Damien Duke and Assistant Coach Jason Bryant, finished as the league runners-up, rounding out a thrilling first season finale.
2025 VWBL Season Award Winners
Season MVP: Teisha Shadwell (Kilsyth Cobras)
Defensive Player of the Year: Rhys Higgins (Kilsyth Cobras)
Spirit of the Game Award: Judeland Antony (Diamond Valley Eagles)
Coach of the Year: Damien Duke (Wyndham)
Leading Point Scorer: Jakson Gray (Bendigo Braves)
Building a Statewide Pathway
Basketball Victoria Diversity and Inclusion Officer - Wheelchair Basketball, Elliott Knight said the introduction of the VWBL was an important step in providing a consistent and inclusive pathway for athletes.
“The launch of the Victorian Wheelchair Basketball League marks a huge milestone for our sport. It’s created an opportunity for athletes to represent their association with pride, connect with others across the state, and compete in a structured, high-quality competition. The success of this first season sets a strong foundation for growth in 2026 and beyond.”
The VWBL has already proven to be a vital addition to the state’s basketball landscape, with each round hosted by a different association, highlighting the collaboration, inclusivity, and passion driving wheelchair basketball forward in Victoria.
Basketball Victoria congratulates all athletes, coaches, officials, and associations involved in making the first VWBL season such a success. We are looking forward to growing the league next year to provide more opportunities for players of all experience levels to take the court.
For more information about the VWBL, click below.
