The tournament, which has run for 47-consecutive years, attracts teams from metropolitan associations, including Collingwood, Craigieburn and Sunbury sending large numbers of teams. 

There is also an increasing level of interest from Geelong and surrounds with many teams representing the city as well as Bellarine, Corio Bay and the Surf Coast. 

Tournament manager Mark Valentine said increased demand from areas of the state experiencing high population growth had him eyeing the building site at the Ballarat Sports and Events Centre every day. 

“The Ballarat tournament has to turn teams away who miss the deadline for entry and even before entries open requests for an under-20 competition have to be denied,” he said.

“Twelve courts at BSEC and the Minerdome will centralise the tournament and allow for expansion across all age groups and potentially open up the opportunity for a wheelchair division. 

“Games need not be played at eight in the morning or nine at night just to fit in with the limited resources available.”

Accommodation and food establishments will benefit from more than 4000 players, team staff, referees and family members participating in the 37 grades of basketball for under-12 to under-18 boys and girls across nine different venues in the city.

Spectator entry is free at all venues, including the Minerdome, Wendouree Sports and Events Centre, the Arch, Loreto, St Patrick’s College, Damascus College, Eastwood Leisure Centre, Ballarat Grammar and Woodman’s Hill Campus of Ballarat Secondary College.