A Message from our General Manager
What an incredible season it has been for the McKinnon Cougars!
The 2026 Big V season will be remembered as one of the proudest chapters in our club’s history, with our Championship Women and Championship Men both winning their Grand Finals and bringing two Championship crowns home to McKinnon (Women’s Grand Final Recap and Men’s Grand Final Recap).
To see both teams celebrate on the same night was an extraordinary moment for everyone connected to our club. Our Victoria Youth Championship Women also produced an outstanding season, earning a place in the Final Four and further demonstrating the strength of our senior program (Youth Women’s Semi Final Recap).
While the results were remarkable, what makes me most proud is how our teams represented McKinnon throughout the year. Our players, coaches and support staff approached the season with dedication, professionalism and a genuine sense of pride in the club.
Our senior players continue to be wonderful role models for our Junior Cougars. Their presence around the club allows our young athletes to see the McKinnon pathway in action and understand where commitment, hard work and a love of the game can take them.
We were also incredibly proud to see McKinnon Cougars junior Daisy Nousis return to the court following a major knee injury and celebrate her recent selection in the Australian Gems’ extended squad. Daisy’s resilience, commitment and achievement are an inspiration to our young players and another wonderful example of the strength of the McKinnon pathway. Read more about Daisy’s Gems Exteneded Squad Selection.
We are also proud to have 13 players and two coaches nominated for 2026 Big V season awards. This recognition reflects the outstanding contributions made across our program throughout the year, with the award winners to be announced and celebrated this Saturday night. View our Big V Season Award Finalists.
A Big V season involves far more than what happens between the opening tip and the final siren. Each home game is made possible by a dedicated group of people working together behind the scenes.
Thank you to our administrators, team managers, scorebench officials, statisticians, MCs, camera operators, our dedicated young team of floor wipers and everyone who helped deliver our games throughout the regular season and finals. Your preparation, reliability and professionalism ensured our teams and supporters could enjoy the best possible game day experience.
A special thank you to our commentators, Ryan Fairchild and Riley Coughlin, for bringing the excitement of Cougars basketball to those watching from home. Their excellent work throughout the season was recognised when they were selected to commentate the Grand Final games on Saturday. It was a wonderful achievement and one our club was very proud to see.
Thank you also to our photographers, both on and off the court, who captured the moments and told the stories of our season. Their work helped preserve so many special memories and allowed our wider community to feel part of every step of the journey.
Our theme rounds again highlighted the generosity and community spirit that exist throughout McKinnon Basketball.
Pink Round raised more than $2,700 for Breast Cancer Network Australia, while Big Freeze Round raised more than $7,200 for FightMND. Throwback Round provided an opportunity to recognise our club’s history and celebrate the people and achievements that have helped shape McKinnon Basketball. Read more about Pink Round, Big Freeze Round and Throwback Round.
These occasions are about much more than basketball. They show what can be achieved when our players, volunteers, families, supporters, sponsors and wider community come together for a shared purpose. Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, promoted the events or simply joined us on the day.
To everyone who attended a game this season, thank you for getting behind our teams. Whether you joined us throughout the regular season, attended one of our theme rounds or helped fill the stands during the finals, your support created an atmosphere our players will not forget.
The encouragement shown to all three teams during their finals campaigns was outstanding. Seeing so many people wearing McKinnon colours and celebrating together on Grand Final night was a powerful reminder of what makes this club so special.
Thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, families and every person who contributed to the Big V program throughout the year. Every role matters, and this season’s success belongs to the entire McKinnon community.
I would also like to sincerely thank the McKinnon Board for its unwavering support, guidance and belief in our program throughout the year.
We will rightly celebrate two Championship victories and three exceptional finals campaigns, but the legacy of this season will extend well beyond the trophies. It has strengthened our pathways, developed our players and coaches, celebrated our history and inspired the next generation of Cougars.
As we look ahead to 2027, we do so with enormous pride in what has been achieved and genuine excitement about what lies ahead for the McKinnon Cougars. The challenge now is to build on the foundations and momentum created this season while continuing to strengthen our program and our connection with the wider McKinnon community.
Congratulations to everyone involved in an unforgettable 2026 season. We should all be incredibly proud of what has been achieved together.
With pride and gratitude,
Anita Ledger
General Manager
McKinnon Basketball Association