Camberwell Basketball and the Dragons are proud to continue our association with Squires Loft Camberwell in 2026.
Squires Loft Camberwell shares our commitment to our community and returns as a valued Camberwell Basketball Partner after powering our program for the past two years. We thank them for their continued support.
ABOUT SQUIRES LOFT CAMBERWELL
Squires Loft Camberwell, The Steak Specialists.
Since 1993 Squires Loft has been combining the finest range of Australian meats to provide a memorable dining experience. The cornerstone of our success is our proprietary sauces and baste, and custom-built grills allowing for a unique cooking process that creates an incredible taste profile.
Most importantly, our top-quality beef is primarily sourced from the Western District of Victoria and the lush pastures of Gippsland, renowned for producing premium grass-fed beef excelling in taste and tenderness.
Squires Loft Camberwell is at 6/436 Burke Road, Camberwell. Call 03 9889 7888 or visit the website at squiresloftcamberwell.com.au And remember to tell them Camberwell Basketball sent you.
• 2026 Camberwell Basketball and Dragons partnerships are on sale now. To find out how you and your business can connect with our engaged and vibrant community for as little as $275 a year, contact Andrew Johnstone at [email protected] or call 0425 791 610.
Camberwell Dragons today announced two significant additions to our 2026 coaching line-up, with Shawn King and Al McAughtry taking on key roles.
King, our current Big V Championship Men’s team coach, has begun work as Director of Coaching (DOC) of the club’s junior girls program, while McAughtry (right of graphic) has brought a wealth of Australian and international experience to the newly created position of Coaching Mentor.
Al’s impressive body of work includes assistant coaching jobs with junior national teams and head coaching roles in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL), the New Zealand Basketball League (NZBL) and with Victorian state boys and girls teams.
Shawn took charge of the Dragons Championship Men’s team in 2025 and is very well known across the state for his achievements at junior and senior levels. He brings extensive DOC experience to the junior girls program.
“I’m excited to get back into it and to start work with the great coaches we have here at Camberwell,” he said. “I want us to continue to get better as a club, and I’m looking forward to working with our coaches and players to help them get to where they want to go.”
Shawn will continue his work with Camberwell’s Big V Senior Men’s program this season. His Dragons open their 2026 Big V regular season campaign against Hume City at Balwyn High School on March 29.
Community Bank Inner East is powering Camberwell Basketball and the Dragons again in 2026.
For all your Business, Lending and Personal Banking needs, including home loans, contact Business Development Manager Claude Di Donato today on 0478 435 129 or email [email protected]
To find out everything you need to know about Community Bank Inner East’s “Home Loan Health Check” for Camberwell Basketball members – a quick and easy way to ensure you’re on the best possible home loan package based on your current lifestyle and needs – click HERE.
Thank you for supporting the local businesses who support us.
For more information about Camberwell Basketball partnership opportunities and how you can connect with our engaged and vibrant community, contact Communications, Community Engagement and Partnerships Manager Andrew Johnstone at [email protected] or call 0425 791 610.
Camberwell Basketball will host a 3X Cup event at local venues on April 18. So get your team together and register to be part of this exciting event today.
Team registration fee is $100, all teams are guaranteed four games and all of your team’s games will be played at the one venue.
Games will be scheduled at local venues, including Boroondara Sports Complex, Camberwell Grammar, Balwyn High School and Kew High School, and we’re offering competition for boys and girls in the following age groups:
Under 11 (for players born 2016-18) Under 13 (2014-15) Under 15 (2012-13) Under 17 (2010-11) Under 20 (2007-09)
Teams for this event will be graded, so representative and domestic teams are encouraged to enter.
Camberwell Basketball and the Dragons are proud to be associated with Drive Smart Driver Academy again in 2026.
Drive Smart is as committed to our community as we are, and returns as a Camberwell Basketball Gold Partner after powering our program for the past two years.
ABOUT DRIVE SMART DRIVER ACADEMY
Drive Smart Driver Academy is a leading institution dedicated to fostering responsible and skilled drivers.
Established with a commitment to road safety, the academy combines comprehensive education with state-of-the-art training methodologies. With a focus on defensive driving techniques, traffic rules, and practical skills, Drive Smart equips learners with the knowledge and confidence needed for safe driving.
The academy’s experienced instructors prioritise personalised guidance, ensuring each student receives tailored instruction. Whether it’s behind-the-wheel training or classroom sessions, Drive Smart Driver Academy strives to produce competent and conscientious drivers, contributing to a safer and more responsible driving culture. Join us on the journey towards skilled and mindful driving.
For more information about Drive Smart Driver Academy, visit drivesmart.net.au
• 2026 Camberwell Basketball and Dragons partnerships are on sale now. To find out how you can connect with our engaged and vibrant community, contact Andrew Johnstone at [email protected] or call 0425 791 610.
Camberwell Dragons are proud to be associated with Travel Latte again in 2026.
The Dragons announced today that Travel Latte will be the official Player Partner of Big V Youth League Men’s team forward Tyson Mackenzie this season.
ABOUT TRAVEL LATTE
At Travel Latte, our mission is to unveil a world of wonder and excitement to those yearning to explore. We recognise that travels means different things to different people, and unlike conventional travel agencies that have a one size fits all-approach, we take the time to understand the “why” behind your travel aspirations.
Whether it be for escaping, discovering or business, we craft individual and unique travel itineraries that promise to make memories that endure a lifetime. With 20 years of industry expertise, let Tricia exceed your expectations by curating an end-to-end travel experience tailored to your budget and purpose.
To learn more about Travel Latte, visit its website at travellatte.com.au
Tyson and our Youth League Men will open their regular season campaign next month. Follow the Dragons on our social media platforms for updates.
• Dragons Big V Player Partnerships are on sale now. To find out how you can power your senior Dragons program this season, contact Andrew Johnstone at [email protected]
Camberwell Basketball and the Dragons are proud to be associated with BNF Coaching again in 2026.
BNF Coaching returns as a Camberwell Basketball Partner and we look forward to working closely with Ben Crowe and his his team throughout the year.
The Dragons and Camberwell Basketball thank BNF Coaching for its continued support of our programs and youth in our community.
ABOUT BNF COACHING
BNF Coaching – the BNF stands for “Basketball N Fitness” – was founded by Dragons Big V Championship Player and junior Dragons coach Ben Crowe with a simple goal: to help people successfully reach their goals, whether in the gym or on the basketball court.
For more information, visit the BNF Coaching website HERE
• To find out how you and your business can help support our programs while connecting with the vibrant and engaged Camberwell Basketball community, email Communications, Community Engagement and Partnerships Manager at [email protected] or call 0425 791 610.
The NBL playoffs are in sight for South East Melbourne Phoenix and the temperature’s rising on the eve of the most important games of the year.
But its regular season work isn’t done just yet, and Phoenix is calling on the Camberwell Basketball community to join in the excitement of the drive to the playoffs when its hosts Tasmania JackJumpers in Saturday night’s Heartland Round game at John Cain Arena.
To celebrate Heartland Round, the club is giving away a free pair of limited-edition Phoenix socks to the first 200 players to get to the membership desk at JCA wearing their club jerseys.
Participants in this promotion will need to buy a ticket before attending the game and Phoenix has got you covered there, too.
To get 20% off General Admission Tickets and 20% back for your club, click HERE and enter the code CD2020. For groups of 10 or more, contact membership.semphoenix.com.au
Game time against the JackJumpers at John Cain Arena on Saturday, February 14, is 8pm.
• South East Melbourne Phoenix (21-10) is third in the NBL standings behind Adelaide (22-9) and Sydney (21-9). Perth (19-11) completes the top four, with Melbourne United (18-12) a game further back.
Our Youth League Women will be shooting for a place in the Big V’s Youth Championship Division when they open their 2006 campaign with a Qualification Series match-up against Pakenham at Narrandjeri Stadium on Sunday morning.
This one shapes as a great early season test for the Dragons, with first-year coach Paris Joannides and his team looking to build on what has already been a promising preseason.
“It’s been exciting watching the group come together and improve with every training and practice game,” Joannides said. “The buy-in from the players as we introduce new ideas and concepts has been outstanding and you can really feel our identity on the court coming together.”
Asked to nominate players on his roster who had impressed him so far, Joannides said he’d been pleased with the entire group.
“They are a lovely bunch of girls who’ve welcomed new players and coaches into the group with open arms and it really shows the culture and belief the group has in one another,” he said.
“Notable mentions would go to Ciara Newman as she continues to work on her game away from training and looks to be getting more confidence. Gemma Watson, who just gets after it time and time again with her energy and competitiveness. Mia Demarte and Lucy Christodolou, who have set the tone defensively for us, but most importantly our leadership group with Amelie (Atkinson, pictured below), Jess (Del Brocco), Ciara, Lucy, Tilly (Quartel) and Maddy (Grossman), who provide those stable pieces for us when we require poise and drive our standards at practice.”
Joannides leads a new-look Dragons coaching staff, with assistants Scott Smith and Amy Dingle joining him on the bench.
“They bring together experience as well as fresh perspectives,” he said. “Scott was my assistant coach when I was at Diamond Valley. He brings another experienced voice to the group and we share similar philosophies on both sides of the ball.
“Amy is a young up-and-coming coach and has an incredible future ahead. The way she can read the game but also articulate that to the group is something you rarely see in a young coach. Both have been fantastic in being clear and consistent with our messaging to the playing group.”
Joannides (pictured below) said he was enjoying his early days in the top job and looking forward to more good times ahead.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank Camberwell Dragons for the trust in giving me the opportunity to coach the Youth League Women and for the support so far,” he said.
“You can really see the family driven environment that the club has built. It’s exciting to be a part of a pathway that helps junior athletes grow and move into the senior program. Come down and support us on Sunday and throughout the year as your energy and support will no doubt be a driving force for us. We’re looking forward to the season.”
• The Dragons tip off their VYCW/YL1W Youth Qualification Series against Pakenham on Court 1 at Narrandjeri Stadium on Sunday, February 8 (10am). A Dragons’ win would set up a date with the loser of the Frankston-Eltham qualifying game for a place in Championship Division, while a loss would see Camberwell remain in the YL1 competition.
Frankston plays Eltham at the same venue on Sunday (10am), reigning YLW1 champion Knox goes head to head with Bulleen (10.30am), and Bendigo squares off with Geelong United (10.30am).
All Photos: Craig Dingle, Melbourne Sports Photography.
Great work by our 14.5 Dragons Girls (pictured), who were one of many Camberwell teams sporting blue armbands across the city on Friday night to show their support for Basketball Victoria’s Road Safety Round.
To the players, coaches, team managers and families who answered the club’s call to “Band Together” for this fantastic cause – promoting road safety awareness and recognising those impacted by road trauma – thank you for being part of such a special night.
Look out for more photos of our teams supporting Road Safety Round here and on our social media platforms over the coming days.
• BV has partnered with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to support a new road safety initiative that will see tens of thousands of grassroots and elite sportspeople join its mission to save lives and prevent injuries on the state’s roads.
For information, contact Camberwell Basketball Communications, Community Engagement and Partnerships Manager Andrew Johnstone at [email protected]
Photos(below, from top to bottom): Our 12.5 Girls, 12.2 Girls, 18.5 and 18.6 Boys, 18.2 Boys, 12.2 Boys, 12.7 Boys, 12.6 Boys and Under 20 Girls show their support for BV’s Road Safety Round on Friday night.
