Frequently Asked Questions
See below for answers to some commonly asked questions about the Melbourne University Basketball Club (MUBC).
JOINING THE CLUB
Who can join the Melbourne University Basketball Club?
Anyone can join MUBC!
While we do have discounted rates for currently enrolled University of Melbourne students, everyone is welcome to join our club. We cater to basketball players of all levels, from complete beginners to highly experienced players.
What skill level do I need to be to join?
We welcome players of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced. Whether you are a seasoned player or just starting out, there's a place for you in our club.
I am a University of Melbourne exchange student. Is that an issue?
No, exchange students are more than welcome to join MUBC – you even qualify for our reduced student rates!
What are the membership fees?
Membership fees are as follows:
- $80 for currently enrolled University of Melbourne students.
- $155 for all other members.
*Note: A $10 late fee applies if fees are not paid before the April deadline (specific date varies from year to year).
Payment of membership fees qualify you as a member of the club for a full year, meaning you are covered for both the winter and summer seasons!
**Note: After August 1st, our fees are reduced to cover the summer season only. At this time of year, our student fee drops to $50 and our general fee drops to $90.
How do I join the Melbourne University Basketball Club?
To join, click here: https://www.melbourneunibasketball.org.au/membership
I am still not sure if the Melbourne University Basketball Club is right for me. Do you have some form of free trial?
Yes, we encourage anyone who is unsure about whether joining the club is right for them to come along to one of our Saturday morning training sessions and participate completely free of charge. Our coaches and domestic representatives will be able to answer your questions and provide you with further information at these sessions.
COMPETITONS
What is the difference between all the levels/competitions you operate?
Domestic:
MUBC operates a large domestic program that caters to all skill levels, from beginners trying basketball for the first time, to experienced representative players. This is the program that the majority of our members participate in.
Big V:
Big V is a state-wide, representative, semi-professional basketball league. We are represented in open age men, open age women, and U23 men (Youth League).
Our Big V teams train multiple times per week, and play on weekends from March - August.
To be considered as a Big V player, you are expected to be a very high level basketball player with significant playing experience. These are the highest level teams we have at MUBC. Tryouts take place in October.
Club members are encouraged to come along and support our Big V teams at our home games, so consider coming along for some cheap drinks and high-level basketball entertainment!
UBL/Uni Nationals:
The University Basketball League (UBL) and University Nationals (UniNats) are competitions operated by UniSport and are participated in by universities all over the country.
- The UBL season runs from March - May, with games being played mid-week. Tryouts are in January/February.
- UniNats is a week-long tournament that operates in September/October. Tryouts generally operate in August.
The majority of our UBL and UniNats players have Big V or NBL1 experience. You must be a currently enrolled student at The University of Melbourne to participate in either of these competitions.
DOMESTIC
What is "domestic"?
"Domestic" is the term we use at the Melbourne University Basketball Club (MUBC) to describe our non-representative basketball programs.
At MUBC, we operate a large domestic program that caters to all skill levels, from beginners trying basketball for the first time, to experienced and high-level players. This is the program that the majority of our members participate in.
What dates do your domestic seasons operate?
· Winter season: April – September
o Tryouts will generally occur March, with teams announced in early/mid-April.
· Summer season: October – April
o Tryouts will generally occur August/September
When and where are domestic games played?
Domestic games are generally held at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC). A majority of our members play in competitions held on Sunday evenings, but we also have teams that compete on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Can anyone join a MUBC domestic team?
Yes! Anyone is welcome to join our club and compete with one of our domestic teams.
However, in order to be placed on a MUBC team, you are required to be reliably and consistently available to attend your games almost every week throughout the season. If you are a new player, you will also need to attend tryouts.
For University of Melbourne students who are only in Melbourne temporarily (e.g. exchange or international students here for a single semester) and are unable to commit to a whole season, it is less likely that we will be able to select you for a team. We still encourage you to become a member and participate in our Saturday morning sessions if that is of interest to you! We are considering ways we can improve basketball opportunities for international students and encourage anyone who is interested in helping out to approach our committee.
Do you offer training sessions?
Absolutely! We provide regular Saturday morning coached training sessions at the Nona Lee Sports Centre for all members throughout the year. At these sessions you can expect a mix of skills work and scrimmage.
When is domestic training?
Every Saturday morning, between 8:30am to 1pm. Time are subject to change, but are generally:
· Domestic Men - Development: 8:30am -10:00am
· Domestic Men - Advanced: 10am -11:30am
· Domestic Women - ALL GRADES: 11:30am - 1:00pm
It is best to stay up to date with training times on our App: https://mubc.teamapp.com
Where is domestic training?
All domestic trainings take place on campus in the Nona Lee Sports Centre (also sometimes known as the Melbourne University Sports Centre). The stadium is located upstairs.
Address: Building 103, The University of Melbourne
Tin Alley, Parkville VIC 3082
Are domestic training sessions compulsory?
No, attendance at Saturday morning trainings is completely optional, and members can attend as many or as few as they like.
*Note: for new players hoping to play in a domestic team, attendance at tryouts is required.
Do I have to be part of a team to attend training sessions?
No, training sessions are open to all Melbourne University Basketball Club members.
If I join a domestic team, what are the additional costs?
In addition to requiring an active MUBC membership, you will also need to pay a team registration fee. This fee is charged by the competition organisers and equates to ~$10 per player per game. Currently at MUBC, this fee is charged as a lump sum at the beginning of the season to cover all games. This payment is made via PlayHQ after you have been allocated to a team. If you sign up to play on multiple teams, you will be required to pay this fee for each team.
In addition, all players competing for MUBC are required to own an MUBC uniform. This must be purchased before commencing involvement with an MUBC domestic team (Price List).
Where can I buy a uniform/club apparel?
Uniforms and club apparel (hoodies, long sleeve tops, etc) can be purchased during in our Saturday morning domestic training sessions. Just seek out our coaches or domestic representatives – they can point you in the right direction.
GENERAL
Do you run any social events at the Melbourne University Basketball Club?
Yes, at MUBC we host a number of social events throughout the year, including our Season Launch (~March), Trivia Night (~May), and Presentation Evening (~October). We also run/participate in various competitions and tournaments throughout the year, including 3x3 basketball competitions and Ballarat Senior Basketball Tournament, which are as much about having fun and making new friends as they are about the basketball.
Keep an eye on our social media platforms for updates on our upcoming events.
Note that involvement in these additional competitions/events can sometimes require payment of registration/ticket costs.
How can I stay updated with club news and events?
You can stay informed about club news, events, and updates by regularly checking our website and following us on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and our app.
We also send out newsletters and emails to our members.
I am interested in sponsoring the Melbourne University Basketball Club. Where can I find more information?
We have a wide range of sponsorship opportunities at MUBC and are always excited to partner with new businesses! For enquires and more information, please email bigv@melbourneunibasketball.org.au
How can I become part of the committee?
Great question! Our committee is the lifeblood of the club. Without the committee, the club could not exist, simple as that.
To enquire about how you can get more involved and potentially join our committee, please email: secretary@melbourneunibasketball.org.au