Announcing our TOP 50 From The Sidelines Competition images.

This year Basketball Victoria launched a statewide photography competition to find some of our greatest grassroots photographers. The competition's objective, to encourage the local community to capture on film, all levels of our sport. From the local under 10s, right through to the highest levels of Victorian basketball. The brief was to showcase the basketball spirit, on court talent and dedication across all aspects of the game we love. Our grassroots photographers competed for an $1000 cash prize AND the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shoot an elite NBL game alongside one of Australia's top sports photographers, Michelle Couling.

There were some incredible moments shot and captured, with entries coming in from all over Victoria and right across the year. The TOP 50 photos that have been selected stand out not just for their excellence, but for the stories they tell. Couling states that "I think a great sports image is one that makes you feel like you’re actually there. Whether that’s on the baseline, on the sideline or on the court, I want people to feel connected to my work and that’s what I was looking for in this competition. As well as looking for images that connected me to the subject, I was also looking for good technique - well-framed, in focus and drawing you in to the story."

Top 50 submissions, Basketball Victoria's 2024 From The Sidelines Competition

One of the key themes that emerged across all entries is the way they highlight the strong sense of community that surrounds grassroots basketball in Victoria. There are shots of parents and grandparents cheering from the sidelines, siblings high-fiving their role model brothers and sisters, and entire families united by their shared support for a local team. These photos remind us that basketball is more than just a game — it’s a community that brings people together in a way few other sports can.

Beyond the action shots, some of the best entries focus on behind-the-scenes moments that make grassroots basketball special. Coaches giving pep talks, players lacing up their shoes before a game, and the quiet moments of reflection on the bench after a tough match — these images highlight the dedication and preparation that happens off the court, showing that the journey is just as important as the destination.

As the top 50 photos illustrate, grassroots basketball is a pot of athletic talent, personal stories, and shared experiences. Each entry provides a glimpse into the lives of those who make this level of basketball so special — the young players dreaming of greatness, the coaches and volunteers who dedicate their time to nurturing talent, and the fans who cheer from the sidelines, rain or shine.

The many submissions for this year's exciting new photography competition 'From The Sidelines' has proven that grassroots basketball is overflowing with talent and heart. It has uncovered and highlighted that there are many talented amateur photographers in our basketball community, and through their lens and the pictures they take we get to enjoy and experience memorable moments from the game many times over.

The competition has now now closed for 2024, stay tuned for the announcement of the overall winner of the 2024 From The Sidelines competitions to be released this Friday 4th October at midday via the Basketball Victoria website and socials.

A massive congratulations to the TOP 50 photographers who remind us that basketball's true spirit can be found in the local courts.

To view the full TOP 50 From The Sidelines Gallery see below.

TOP 50 - FROM THE SIDELINES FINALISTS

Congratulations to our Top 50 finalists, named below.

- Alison Ford

- Banny Lan

- Bec Casey Sports Photography

- Benjamin Barker

- Brodie Green

- Brynn Lariba-Lay

- Cameron Romanis

- Carl Cruz

- Cirstin Bedson

- Claire Nimmo

- Darren Haslett

- Dennis Penfold

- Dominique Van Den Ham

- Eamon Urtone

- Emmanuel Barbas

- Gary Bradshaw

- HoopCentralMedia

- Imogen Caruso

- Jason Belcourt

- Kate O’Brien

- Khang Ta

- KG Sports Photography

- Kirstin Pluck

- Kristy Crawley

- Libby Mikus

- Martin Ramos

- Matt Gleeson

- Melissa Ryan

- Megan Vuillermin

- Robert Christiansen

- Rob Ly

- Robramirezphotography

- Sarah Pretty C

- Sarah Pretty Creative

- Shane Panther

- Sofia Alessandra

- Tash Warden

- Troy Johns

- Xavier Papadakos

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04 October, 2024

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