Melbourne Central Basketball Association (MCBA) is excited to announce the official acquisition of Playball Basketball Bayside. MCBA have acquired the managing and controlling rights of the Playball Basketball Bayside competition, to take effect from Term 2, 2025.
This acquisition marks a significant step in our commitment to managing and enhancing all basketball operations and competitions in the area, aligning with our strategic plan and vision of becoming one of the largest basketball associations in Victoria.
All Playball competitions will continue to run on the same days and times as previously, ensuring a seamless transition for teams, players, and families. Playball participants will now benefit from MCBA’s electronic scoring system, video replay of games thanks to Glory League for games played at MSAC, and the simplicity of PlayHQ for registrations, fixtures and results.
This acquisition also provides consistency across competitions at MSAC, strengthening opportunities for players to progress into MCBA’s Saturday Junior Domestic and the Melbourne Tigers representative basketball program within our growing association.
Additionally, this transition brings new benefits for Playball Basketball referees, who will now have access to MCBA’s referee training and development programs, supporting their growth.
MCBA General Manager, Rebecca Thorburn is excited for the transition.
“We are excited to welcome all Playball Basketball Bayside participants and their families to the MCBA community. The acquisition of Playball Basketball Bayside aligns with MCBA’s commitment to fostering basketball in Port Phillip, Melbourne CBD, and surrounding areas, as well as our dedication to expanding competitive opportunities within the community. Simon Buckley and the Playball Basketball team have built and sustained a strong basketball model, and we look forward to ensuring a seamless transition into MCBA, providing a continued and thriving environment for our junior basketball community.”
Playball Basketball Bayside’s Founder, Simon Buckley is also excited.
“I am delighted that MCBA will be taking over the running of all after-school programs at MSAC and surrounding school Stadiums from Term 2. MCBA will be bringing much more to basketball families throughout Bayside including training resources for coaches, seamless pathways for players to higher level competitions via Melbourne Tigers, superior administration through Play-HQ fixturing, Glory League replay of games, electronic scoring over paper scoring and access to statistics of team & player performance via My-Hoops App.”
MCBA respects and acknowledges Simon Buckley’s incredible contribution to junior basketball over the past 25 years in the local area through Playball Basketball Bayside. We thank him and his team for their dedication and ongoing support during this transitional period as we continue to work closely to ensure a smooth transition.
MCBA is excited for this next chaper of Playball Basketball Bayside and look forward to continuing to build a strong and inclusive basketball community!
