Geelong United (WNBL)

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Geelong United
Geelong United Basketball.png
Leagues WNBL
Founded1984
HistoryBulleen Boomers
1984–2013
Melbourne Boomers
2013–2024
Geelong United
2024–present
Arena Geelong Arena
Capacity2,000
Location Geelong, Victoria
Team colorsNavy and white
CEO Mark Neeld
Head coachChris Lucas
Championships2 (2011, 2022)
Website wnbl.basketball/melbourne

Geelong United is an Australian professional basketball team based in Geelong, Victoria. United compete in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) and will play their home games at Geelong Arena starting in 2024.

Contents

Beginning as the Bulleen Boomers in 1984, the team underwent a name change in 2013 to Melbourne Boomers. In 2024, the Boomers' WNBL licence was transferred to Geelong United Basketball.

History

Bulleen-Templestowe Basketball Club (BTBC) was established in 1969. [1] In 1984, BTBC secured a licence to join the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL), [1] marking the debut of the Bulleen Boomers. [2]

The Boomers were first coached by Trevor Cook, with the initial team including Michele Timms and Samantha Thornton. The club first qualified for the WNBL finals in 1989 under the guidance of coach Paul Deacon, and, after progressing to the same stage the following year, missed the playoffs until 1996. In coach Lori Chizik's first season, Bulleen finished third in the regular season before bowing out in the semi-finals. Chizik led the Boomers to the 1999–2000 preliminary final, marking the club's best-ever result to that point. Cheryl Chambers then took over in 2001–02 and steered the club to two finals appearances, including the 2004–05 preliminary final. Katrina Hibbert and Hollie Grima formed the backbone of the Boomers during the 2000s. Hibbert won back-to-back League MVP awards during the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons. [2]

Bulleen made four straight WNBL grand finals between 2008–09 and 2011–12, winning their first championship in 2010–11 behind Desiree Glaubitz, Sharin Milner, Liz Cambage, Rachel Jarry, Jenna O'Hea and coach Tom Maher. [2]

In 2013, BTBC changed the team name to Melbourne Boomers to target a wider area of population and boost crowd numbers. [2] The team also changed its colours from blue and gold to purple and gold, and moved their home games to the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna. [3] In 2014, Deakin University joined as a naming rights partner. [2] In 2016, a new ownership group took over the Boomers' license from BTBC. [2]

In the 2017–18 season, the Boomers reached the grand final but lost to the Townsville Fire. [2] In the 2021–22 season, the Boomers won their second WNBL championship under coach Guy Molloy. [4] [5]

In March 2024, Geelong United Basketball (GUB) and a consortium of local private investors from Geelong expressed interest in acquiring the Boomers' licence after the Boomers' ownership group looked to transfer its licence. [6] [7] Two months later, the license was officially transferred to GUB, with the team moving to Geelong and being rebranded as Geelong United. [8] [9] [10] [11]

Home venues

The franchise has had a number of home venues, including Sheahan's Road Basketball Centre, Keilor Basketball Stadium, Melbourne Entertainment Centre, the Veneto Club, [2] State Basketball Centre (2013–2023), and Parkville Stadium (2021–2024). [12] [13] [14] [15]

With the move to Geelong in 2024, the home venue shifted to Geelong Arena. [10]

Season-by-season records

SeasonStandingsRegular seasonFinalsHead coach
WLPCT
Bulleen Boomers
1984 9th51327.7Did Not QualityTrevor Cook
1985 10th31516.6Did Not QualityTrevor Cook
1986 12th51920.8Did Not QualityTrevor Cook
1987 11th31715.0Did Not QualityTrevor Cook
1988 10th51722.7Did Not QualityTrevor Cook
1989 4th16866.6Loss Semi-Final (Nunawading Spectres, 68-69)Paul Deacon
1990 3rd17770.8Loss Semi-Final (Nunawading Spectres, 69-89)Lori Chizik
1991 6th111150.0Did Not QualityLori Chizik
1992 6th101050.0Did Not QualityLori Chizik
1993 7th71138.8Did Not QualityLori Chizik
1994 8th51327.7Did Not QualityLori Chizik
1995 7th61233.3Did Not QualityLori Chizik
1996 3rd14477.7Loss Semi-Final (Perth, 58-75)Lori Chizik
1997 9th51327.7Did Not QualityLori Chizik
1998 7th3925.0Did Not QualityLori Chizik
1998–99 5th111052.3Did Not QualityLori Chizik
1999–00 3rd111052.3Won Semi-Final (Perth, 61-60)

Loss Premliminary Final (Canberra, 66-80)

Lori Chizik
2000–01 6th71433.3Did Not QualityLori Chizik
2001–02 6th61528.5Did Not QualityCheryl Chambers
2002–03 6th61528.5Did Not QualityCheryl Chambers
2003–04 6th7943.7Did Not QualityCheryl Chambers
2004–05 2nd16576.1Loss Semi-Final (Dandenong, 59-63)

Loss Premliminary Final (Sydney, 71-79)

Cheryl Chambers
2005–06 4th13861.9Loss Semi-Final (Canberra, 62-67)Cheryl Chambers
2006–07 5th12957.1Did Not QualityCheryl Chambers
2007–08 5th111345.8Did Not QualityCheryl Chambers
2008–09 2nd17577.2Loss Semi-Final (Canberra, 52-60)

Win Preliminary Final (Townsville, 79-68)

Loss Grand Final (Canberra, 58-61)

Cheryl Chambers
2009–10 1st21195.4Won Semi-Final (Sydney, 72-55)

Loss Grand Final (Canberra, 70-75)

Tom Maher
2010–11 1st19386.3Won Semi-Final (Canberra, 71-67)

Won Grand Final (Canberra, 103-78)

Tom Maher
2011–12 2nd15768.1Won Semi-Final (Adelaide, 73-70)

Loss Grand Final (Dandenong, 70-94)

Tom Maher
2012–13 5th101441.6Did Not QualityTom Maher
Melbourne Boomers
2013–14 4th141058.3Loss Semi-Final (Townsville, 73-78)Guy Molloy
2014–15 6th111150.0Did Not QualityGuy Molloy
2015–16 8th81633.3Did Not QualityGuy Molloy
2016–17 7th51920.8Did Not QualityGuy Molloy
2017–18 4th12957.1Won Semi-Final (Perth, 2-0)

Loss Grand Final (Townsville, 1-2)

Guy Molloy
2018–19 2nd15671.4Loss Semi-Final (Adelaide, 0-2)Guy Molloy
2019–20 3rd15671.4Loss Semi-Final (Canberra, 1-2)Guy Molloy
2020 4th9469.2Won Semi-Final (Canberra, 78-68)

Loss Preliminary Final (Townsville, 62-65)

Guy Molloy
2021–22 1st12570.5Won Semi-Final (Adelaide, 2-0)

Won Grand Final (Perth, 2-1)

Guy Molloy
2022–23 3rd15671.4Loss Semi-Final (Southside, 1-2)Chris Lucas
2023–24 3rd12957.1Loss Semi-Final (Southside, 1-2)Chris Lucas
Regular season42541550.53 Minor Premierships
Finals111936.62 WNBL Championships

Players

Current roster

2023–24 Melbourne Boomers roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.
G 0 Flag of the United States.svg Canada, Jordin  (I)1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
G 2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Burrows, Paige  (DP)1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
G 3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wallace, Kristy 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
G 4 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Calleia, Sherrie 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
G 5 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham, Grace  (DP)1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
F 6 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Simmons, Taylah 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
F 7 Flag of the United States.svg Hillmon, Naz  (I)1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
C 10 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mckay, Megan
G 11 Flag of New Zealand.svg Reed, Tera 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
F 12 Flag of New Zealand.svg Davidson, Penina 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
G 14 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Conti, Monique 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)
F 21 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Froling, Keey 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
G 22 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rocci, Aime 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
G 24 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Carmody, Lily  (DP)1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
G 42 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rotunno, Lily  (DP)1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
F 46 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Blicavs, Sara   Cruz Roja.svg 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (I) Import player
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured
Updated: 2 March 2024

Former coaches

Former players

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References

  1. 1 2 "Club History". BulleenBoomers.com.au. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "About Us". wnbl.basketball/melbourne. Archived from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  3. ↑ Ward, Roy (7 October 2013). "Boomers rebound in second quarter to shoot down Flames". smh.com.au. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  4. ↑ Boomers look forward to celebrating championship season
  5. ↑ Strong steady hand to lead WNBL Champions
  6. ↑ Randall, Michael; Clark, Jay (10 March 2024). "Geelong group makes play for Melbourne Boomers' WNBL licence". Geelong Advertiser . Archived from the original on 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  7. ↑ Cameron, Ben; Randall, Michael (21 March 2024). "The Geelong United Basketball Association and a consortium of investors plan to enter teams in elite women's competitions". Geelong Advertiser . Archived from the original on 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  8. ↑ Randall, Michael (9 May 2024). "End of an era: The Melbourne Boomers move to Geelong is a done deal". The Australian . Archived from the original on 9 May 2024.
  9. ↑ "MELBOURNE BOOMERS WNBL CLUB TRANSFER WNBL LICENSE TO GEELONG CONSORTIUM". wnbl.basketball/melbourne. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  10. 1 2 "WNBL WELCOMES GEELONG UNITED BASKETBALL". wnbl.basketball. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  11. ↑ "Geelong United to replace Melbourne Boomers in WNBL". ESPN.com.au. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  12. ↑ "THE 2019/20 SCHEDULE HAS ARRIVED". wnbl.basketball/melbourne. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  13. ↑ "BOOMERS WNBL21/22 FIXTURE IS HERE!". wnbl.basketball/melbourne. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  14. ↑ "DEAKIN MELBOURNE BOOMERS RELEASE 2022/23 FIXTURE". wnbl.basketball/melbourne. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  15. ↑ "FIXTURE RELEASED FOR SEASON 23-24". wnbl.basketball/melbourne. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  16. ↑ Boomers add basketball legend to coaching panel
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