BBA MASTERS CARNIVAL

The first WA inaugural Masters carnival was held at the South West Sport Centre, in Bunbury on 28th February 2018 with only three senior men’s teams. The following year, the carnival was established on the last weekend of January. Team numbers have doubled over the following successive 3 years to 6, then 11 and in 2021 we hosted 22 teams including 6 Women’s and 16 Men’s teams. Nominating teams rally from Rockingham, Cockburn, Margaret River, Busselton, Bunbury, Eaton, Harvey, Mandurah and Collie.

The 2021 Carnival attracted a team of legendary early / late 1980s/90s Wildcat players such as Ricky Grace, Mike Ellis, Andrew Vlahov and Eric Waterson.

The Bunbury Masters carnival was the brainchild of Bunbury Basketball Association’s Senior Director and former Championship Wildcat player Robert Dempster. Rob continues to play basketball socially well into his 50’s and in 2019, managed to represent Australia in the over 55s team who played in world masters games in Helsinki Finland. The Masters basketball scene is a growing program where thousands of people come together to enjoy the game.

The key to the success is to not be too taxing on the older bodies with modified game times of 2 x 10min halves, with teams assured of a minimum of 5 games throughout the day. The Associations bar kicks off at lunchtime to lubricate the old joints and assist with the pain management, with most teams having a 2 game break before treading the boards again. The carnival leaves as lasting impression on all that participate with sore bodies the following week but it seems the many laughs and experiences of the day see players returning year after year

Next event date: Saturday, 27th January 2024

Team Nominations will open, use the below link to register your team today.

Any individuals looking for a team and wanting to participate in the upcoming Masters Carnival are encouraged to contact carnival co-ordinator Robert Dempster at basketballcrazy1964@gmail.com to register your expression of interest.