The Bendigo Braves' home game against arch-rival the Ballarat Miners on Friday, May 28, will be the Steve Kelly Memorial Game.

Kelly, a champion of the club on and off the court, passed away in October last year after a battle with illness at the age of 59.

Four of Kelly's closest friends and former team-mates - Mick Spear, Justin Cass, David Flint and David Beks - said the game would be a fitting tribute to a man who worked tirelessly on and off the court for Bendigo basketball.

"Kels' funeral was held during COVID-19 restrictions and there were a lot of people who would have liked to have attended, but couldn't,'' Spear said.

"It's a great opportunity for basketball people and people who knew Kels to come out and show their support.

"The fact that it's against Ballarat is just perfect."

The Steve Kelly Memorial Game will be played each year when the Braves play the Miners at home.

The player judged the most valuable player for Bendigo against Ballarat will be awarded the Steve Kelly Memorial Shield.

A minute's silence will be held before the start of the women's and men's matches, while a video tribute to Kelly will be shown on the Jumbotron prior to tip-off of the men's game.

The club will also stage a further tribute to Kelly during the half-time break.

"This is just the start,'' Flint said.

"Steve was such a great clubman and his plan was to keep the ex-Braves players together with the current day players because our club has so much history.

"This is not just a one-off game. This is a game we should do each year to keep Kels' name alive and living."

A member of the Braves' first SEABL championship-winning team in 1988, Kelly played in some enthralling battles with Ballarat over his decorated career.

There was no team Kelly liked to beat more than the Miners.

"When D.J Hogan was appointed coach of the Braves, Kels was over the moon because a local person got the job,'' Beks said.

"Kels was always an advocate for promoting local people. It's important for the club to maintain that."

Kelly was the driving force behind the Bendigo Braves' annual golf day.

Fittingly, the club will hold this year's golf day on the same weekend as the memorial game on Sunday, May 31. To be held at Bendigo Golf Club, the Braves' golf day is already sold out.

The winning team at the golf day will earn the Steve Kelly Memorial Trophy.

Tickets for the Braves-Miners NBL1 game on May 29 are on sale through Ticketek and the club urges those who would like to attend the Steve Kelly Memorial Game to pre-book seats.

"Steve was a great mate to us and he is deeply missed," Flint said.

"This game is a chance for us all to honour him in a way he deserves."

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