BMBA Basketball: Shaping Young Athletes in Malvern East

A new force in junior basketball is looking to make waves. The Bob Mann Basketball Academy (BMBA), led by the seasoned coach Bob Mann, is redefining how young athletes in Melbourne engage with the sport. With its state-of-the-art facilities, innovative programmes, and a philosophy that blends elite coaching with character development, the BMBA is quickly becoming a cornerstone of the local basketball community.

A Legacy Built on Passion and Experience

The BMBA is the brainchild of Bob Mann, a coach with over three decades of experience in Victoria’s fiercely competitive basketball scene. Mann’s journey began in 1990, transitioning from Australian Rules Football to basketball coaching with no prior knowledge of the sport. Through years of self-education—devouring books, attending clinics, and learning from peers—he transformed himself into one of Melbourne’s most respected coaches. His tenure includes leading teams in the Victorian Championships, widely regarded as the toughest junior competition in the Southern Hemisphere, and guiding players to state and national representation, U.S. college scholarships, and even Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL).

Mann’s vision for the BMBA, launched as an extension of his lifelong commitment to basketball, is clear: to develop committed players with above-average ability, educate coaches, and provide clubs with structured programmes that prioritise growth. Frustrated by the politics and administrative hurdles of traditional clubs, Mann designed the BMBA to offer a transparent, independent, and progressive approach to coaching, where effort and achievement take centre stage.

A New Home at Margaret Connellan Stadium

The BMBA’s operations are based at the state-of-the-art Margaret Connellan Stadium, part of the Stonnington Sports Centre in Malvern East, located next to Chadstone Shopping Centre. This modern facility, with access to up to six courts, provides an ideal setting for the academy’s ambitious programmes. The move to this venue marks a significant milestone, enabling the BMBA to establish junior competitions and deliver high-quality training in a professional environment.

The stadium is not just a venue but a symbol of the BMBA’s commitment to excellence. It hosts a range of activities, from training sessions to competitive matches, fostering an environment where young athletes can thrive. The academy’s home games are played here, with away games at venues nominated by opposing associations through the Elite Development League

Join a BMBA team for the Summer

We are looking for motivated boys and girls to join our BMBA teams for the upcoming summer season at the Dandenong Basketball Association.

Our training is conducted at the Stonnington Sports Centre and De la Salle College in Malvern. We  enter teams into the Dandenong Basketball Association as we transition  to forming our own Stonnigton competitions.

Dandenong Basketball Association has high standard junior competitions ideally suited for developing junior basketball athletes, has a professional and efficient administration and a wonderful referees branch. Just as importantly its located just off the Monash Freeway so it is easy to travel to.

If you would like your son/daughter to become involved in this exciting basketball program contact bob via his email at bob_mann@bmba.net.au or try him on his mobile 0490 823 400. 

For more information about the BMBA and to register your child please CLICK HERE