Warrnambool Seaside Junior Basketball Classic split in half due to COVID-19 restrictions

The seaside classic will be played across two weekends in 2021 instead of its regular jam-packed two-day time-slot.

Boys and girls' under 18 and under 16 age groups will compete on Saturday and Sunday.

The under 14 and under 12 teams will play on February 13 and 14.

Warrnambool junior basketball co-ordinator Mike McGorm said the association was thrilled it could host a representative tournament, given the circumstances.

It follows competitions in Bendigo and Portland to kick-off the representative season.

"We've had a little test run at two different tournaments," he said.

"Hopefully we've picked up a few things we can do better.

"It's always going to be a 'see how you go' kind of thing but we've done a lot of background stuff with the (Warrnambool City) council and entry and exit points.

"I don't think we could have prepared any better than we have.

"I think it will be a success; I hope it's a success."

McGorm, who coaches the Seahawks' high-flying under 12 boys, said there would be cap limits on spectators.

"It's not like previous years where people can just rock up and watch," he said.

"Each team will get 20 tickets to enter. The numbers will be well policed."

Warrnambool will have multiple teams in all four age groups.

"We had 21 Warrnambool teams and 75 teams overall," McGorm said.

Games will start at 8am on Saturday with finals scheduled for Sunday afternoon both weekends.

Domestic basketball is thriving in Warrnambool, according to McGorm.

He said 456 children had registered for the upcoming seasons.

"Everything we did during the lockdown with COVID and the engagement of our Zoom meetings and with our training has kept those kids interested which is the biggest thing of all for me," he said.

"They've come back to us and that was the concern - them not coming back, losing some young athletes or motivation slipping off a bit."

McGorm said Warrnambool had re-branded its introductory programs to give them a strong local feel.

Mini Mermaids and Mini Seahawks will replace Aussie Hoops and will start for under 10 players on Thursday.

"You see the numbers coming through there and it's just exciting," he said.

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