Last weekend saw the BVC U12 Country Championships held at the Bendigo Stadium. A great tournament for the kids; it is also an opportunity for BVC to recognise some of the greatest people in country Basketball at its now annual awards breakfast. This year Bendigo Basketball Referees were at the top winning two of the four BVC referee awards:

* Terry Davis Award - Most improved junior male official of the year - Bailey Baxter

* Helen Pawsey Award - Outstanding achievement by a female referee - Tayla Flint

Tayla’s career has taken off in the last 12 months with Tayla making the WNBL referee panel this last season and now being promoted to panel 2 of the SEABL. Bailey’s career is just starting out with Bailey attending many of the BVC pathway events and making his first league appearance in 2017/18 refereeing his first game in the CBL. It was fitting that the two referees, Tayla and Bailey refereed together in Bailey’s first game of CBL. When asked how she felt about the award Tayla replied, “I’m very honoured & super proud to be a country kid!”

It’s great to see that Bendigo Basketball and BVC are kicking so many goals giving people opportunities to reach the heights of Australian Basketball.