In 1928, the Melbourne Girls’ Basketball Association transformed into the Victorian Women’s Basketball Association (VWBA). This new body meant that Victoria now had a formal state-based (rather than metropolitan-based) organisation, and the selection of a representative state team was possible. On this basis, a Victorian team competed in the first Australian Women’s Basketball Association tournament held in Melbourne in September 1928, with Victoria winning the inaugural event.
The object above, a heavy metal bell with a twisted metal handle, is inscribed with the initials of the VWBA. Evidence indicates that this bell was first used by the VWBA in the 1950s. Its purpose was to signal the start and finish of play for each quarter, and its portable nature meant it could easily be transported to the various venues and courts where the sport was played across Melbourne. The bell continued to be used when a new stadium was opened at Royal Park in 1969, and players and officials fondly recall that the bell hung from a nail in the corner of the clubrooms at this location.
In 1970, the VWBA changed its name to the Victorian Netball Association, which we now know as Netball Victoria.
