Beginners Programs
Mini Cubs (Formally known as Kinder Club)
🏀 Mini Cubs (formerly known as Kinder Club)
Eltham Wildcats Mini Cubs, formally known as Kinder Club. Is a fun and engaging introductory basketball program designed for kindergarten children aged 3–4 years old. It’s the first stepping stone in our beginner development pathway, helping young players build confidence, gross motor skills & teamwork.
⭐️ Session Highlights
- Modified size 4 basketballs and equipment for smaller hands.
- Develop coordination, gross motor skills, and teamwork.
- 30-minute sessions.
✅ Who Can Play?
- Ages: 3–4 years old
- Children of all abilities who are ready to start their basketball journey
- Once players turn 5, they can progress to our Ford Aussie Hoops Cub Squad.
Duration: 6 weeks
Uniforms: Mini Cubs Starter Pack (Red singlet and Size 4 Basketball) $25.00
Mini Cubs Sessions:
Monday 5:00pm-5:30pm Montmorency Secondary College (27 Simms Road, Montmorency)
Thursday 4:30pm-5:00pm Eltham High School (30-60 Withers Way, Eltham)
Thursday 5:00pm-5:30pm Eltham High School (30-60 Withers Way, Eltham)
Friday 4:00pm-4:30pm Eltham High School (30-60 Withers Way, Eltham)
Friday 4:30pm-5:00pm Eltham High School (30-60 Withers Way, Eltham)
Saturday 8:30am-9:00am Eltham Leisure Centre (40 Brougham Street, Eltham)
Saturday 9:00am-9:30am Eltham Leisure Centre (40 Brougham Street, Eltham)
Saturday 9:30am-10:00am Eltham Leisure Centre (40 Brougham Street, Eltham)
Saturday 11:00am-11:30am Eltham Leisure Centre (40 Brougham Street, Eltham)
Cost:
Mini Cubs
New Players- $85.00 + $25.00 (Uniform Pack) + Basketball Vic Fee.
Registration (Returning Players) + Basketball Vic Fee.
Term 1, 2026 Mini Cubs Calendar
Mondays
Week 1: 9th February
Week 2: 16th February
Week 3: 23rd February
Week 4: 2nd March
NO SESSION- Labour Day 9th March
Week 5: 16th March
Week 6: 23rd March
Thursdays
Week 1: 12th February
Week 2: 19th February
Week 3: 26th February
NO SESSION- Labour Day 5th March
Week 4: 12th March
Week 5: 19th March
Week 6: 26th March
Fridays
Week 1: 13th February
Week 2: 20th February
Week 3: 27th February
NO SESSION- Labour Day 6th March
Week 4: 13th March
Week 5: 20th March
Week 6: 27th March
Saturdays
Week 1: 14th February
Week 2: 21st February
Week 3: 28th February
NO SESSION- Labour Day 7th March
Week 4: 14th March
Week 5: 21st March
Week 6: 28th March
More Information
Eltham Wildcats Beginners Programs are for beginner children aged between 3-12 years old. Our purpose is to foster a fun and inclusive environment for all children to learn the fundamentals of basketball through fun!
We have designed our beginners’ programs to cater for our youngest participants through to ones who are ready to progress to our Saturday Junior Domestic competitions.
Cub Squad
Eltham Wildcats’ Ford Aussie Hoops – Cub Squad is an introductory basketball program for children aged 5–10 years, suitable for all abilities.
The program focuses on fundamental skills through fun games, promoting teamwork and individual development in a supportive, inclusive environment — fostering a lifelong love for basketball.
⭐️ Session Highlights
- Learn fundamental basketball skills: dribbling, shooting, passing, and teamwork.
- Fun games to build confidence and encourage teamwork.
- Modified equipment to support skill development.
✅ Who Can Play?
- Ages: 5–10 years old
- Open to all participants
🗓 Sessions
- Mixed 5–10 years old
- All Girls 5–10 years old
🏀 Game Ready
Eltham Wildcats Ford Aussie Hoops – Game Ready is designed to help transition Cub Squad participants into our Saturday Domestic (EDJBA) competition. The EDJBA operates a Winter Season and a Summer Season, which commence in Terms 2 and 4.
This program is perfect for players who are beginners who have either never played before or have completed at least one term of Cub Squad.
⭐️ Session Highlights
- Sessions include half training and half gameplay
- Focus on teaching basic rules of basketball for competition readiness
- Drills and game simulations to build confidence and skills
✅ Who Can Play?
- Ages: 5–11 years old
- Participants who are planning to play in the EDJBA domestic basketball season
🗓 Sessions
- Mixed 5–7 years old **NEW**
- Mixed 7–12 years old
- All Girls 7–12 years old
🏀 Game Ready – Scrimmage **NEW**
Eltham Wildcats Game Ready Scrimmage Is a new session that will give participants the chance to learn the rules of the game while playing in a coached 5-on-5 match. Designed for kids who are ready to play competitive basketball but haven’t yet joined a team. Games are played with in-game coaching and modified rules to encourage free-flowing gameplay. All games are refereed by our coaches for an authentic experience.
⭐️ Session Highlights
- 5-on-5 scrimmage games
- Modified rules and equipment for beginner-friendly play
- On-court coaching to build confidence and understanding
✅ Who Can Play?
- Ages: 7–12 years old
- Participants planning to play in the next EDJBA domestic basketball season
🗓 Sessions
Duration: 6 weeks
Uniforms: Cub Squad Starter Pack (Reversable singlet and Size 5 basketball) $30.00
Cost:
Registration (New players) $100.00 + $30.00 (Uniform Pack) + Basketball Vic & Aus Fee.
Registration (Returning players) $100.00 + Basketball Vic & Aus Fee.
Cub Squad & Game Ready Sessions
Cub Squad
Ford Aussie Hoops- Cub Squad
Monday 4:15pm – 5:00pm Montmorency Secondary College (27 Simms Road, Montmorency)
Thursday 4:30pm – 5:15pm Eltham High School (30-60 Withers Way, Eltham)
Friday 4:15pm – 5:00pm Eltham High School (30-60 Withers Way, Eltham)
Saturday 8:15am – 9:00am Eltham Leisure Centre (40 Brougham Street, Eltham)
Saturday 9:00am – 9:45am Eltham Leisure Centre (40 Brougham Street, Eltham)
Saturday 11:00am – 11:45am Eltham Leisure Centre (40 Brougham Street, Eltham)
Cub Squad- Girls Only Sessions
Friday 5:00pm – 5:45pm Eltham High School (30-60 Withers Way, Eltham)
Saturday 11:00am – 11:45am Eltham Leisure Centre (40 Brougham Street, Eltham)
Game Ready
Game Ready Sessions
Monday 5:00pm – 5:45pm Montmorency Secondary College (27 Simms Road, Montmorency)
Thursday 5:15pm – 6:00pm Eltham High School (30-60 Withers Way, Eltham) (5-7 Yrs old)
Thursday 5:15pm – 6:00pm Eltham High School (30-60 Withers Way, Eltham) (7-12 Yrs old)
Friday 4:15pm – 5:00pm Eltham High School (30-60 Withers Way, Eltham) (5-7 Yrs old)
Friday 5:00pm – 5:45pm Eltham High School (30-60 Withers Way, Eltham) (7-12 Yrs old)
Friday 5:00pm – 5:45pm Eltham High School (30-60 Withers Way, Eltham) (ALL GIRLS)
Saturday 9:00am – 9:45am Eltham Leisure Centre (40 Brougham Street, Eltham) (5-7 Yrs old)
Saturday 10:00am – 10:45am Eltham Leisure Centre (40 Brougham Street, Eltham) (7-12 Yrs old)
Game Ready- Girls Only
Friday 5:00pm – 5:45pm Eltham High School (30-60 Withers Way, Eltham)
Saturday 11:00am – 11:45am Eltham Leisure Centre (40 Brougham Street, Eltham)
Game-Ready Scrimmage NEW SESSION
Thursday 5:15pm – 6:00pm Eltham High School (30-60 Withers Way, Eltham)
Saturday 10:00am – 10:45am Eltham Leisure Centre (40 Brougham Street, Eltham)
Term 1, 2026 Cub Squad Calendar
Mondays
Week 1: 9th February
Week 2: 16th February
Week 3: 23rd February
Week 4: 2nd March
NO SESSION- Labour Day 9th March
Week 5: 16th March
Week 6: 23rd March
Thursdays
Week 1: 12th February
Week 2: 19th February
Week 3: 26th February
NO SESSION- Labour Day 5th March
Week 4: 12th March
Week 5: 19th March
Week 6: 26th March
Fridays
Week 1: 13th February
Week 2: 20th February
Week 3: 27th February
NO SESSION- Labour Day 6th March
Week 4: 13th March
Week 5: 20th March
Week 6: 27th March
Saturdays
Week 1: 14th February
Week 2: 21st February
Week 3: 28th February
NO SESSION- Labour Day 7th March
Week 4: 14th March
Week 5: 21st March
Week 6: 28th March
More Information
