After a gruelling pre-season the Falcons Big V teams are on the cusp of launching their 2017 campaigns, beginning this week with the annual Victorian Youth Championship jambouree at Dandenong Stadium. The Senior Big V Championship teams will also be down at Dandenong competing in the annual Big V Tournament.

The Falcons have loaded up for another big assault in the competition this year, with some key signings in both the men's and women's teams.

The men have added import Desmond Simmons, a big man who can run the floor and is athletic as all get-out. Electric guard Brad 'BK from BK' Kelleher has also returned to the fold after a year in Brooklyn, New York. A strong cast, led by skipper Chris Arkell, has been put around these guys to ensure the Falcons will be tough to contain.

The women will once again be led by Falcon stalwart Tegan Cunningham, who is coming off a productive WNBL campaign with Melbourne Boomers. Cunningham will be supported by WNBL teammate Kelly Bowen, a star of the SEABL in recent seasons. A quality crop of players have joined the Falcons from around the traps and they will be an exciting team to watch.

It's been a busy pre-season for the youth teams as well, and we'll get to see them in full flight this weekend as they begin their regular season. The games are at Dandenong so if you're not up to much this long weekend, have a think about getting down there for a look.

Victorian Youth Championship Men:

Saturday March 11 - 12:00pm tipoff

Dandenong Stadium Court 1

Waverley vs Hawthorn

Victorian Youth Championship Women:

Sunday March 12 - 12:00pm tipoff

Dandenong Stadium Court V1

Waverley vs Eltham

Big V tournament fixture: http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-10722-0-0-0