Geelong United (WNBL)

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"Bulleen Boomers" redirects here. For the Big V club, see Bulleen Boomers (Big V).
Geelong United
Geelong United logo
LeaguesWNBL
Founded1984
HistoryBulleen Boomers
1984–2013
Melbourne Boomers
2013–2024
Geelong United
2024–present
ArenaGeelong Arena
Capacity2,000
LocationGeelong, Victoria
Team colorsNavy and white
CEOMark Neeld
Head coachTBA
Championships2 (2011, 2022)
Websitewnbl.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.

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[edit]

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[edit]

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 new home venue is Geelong Arena.[10]

Season-by-season records[edit]

Season Standings Regular season Finals Head coach
W L PCT
Bulleen Boomers
1984 9th 5 13 27.7 Did Not Quality Trevor Cook
1985 10th 3 15 16.6 Did Not Quality Trevor Cook
1986 12th 5 19 20.8 Did Not Quality Trevor Cook
1987 11th 3 17 15.0 Did Not Quality Trevor Cook
1988 10th 5 17 22.7 Did Not Quality Trevor Cook
1989 4th 16 8 66.6 Loss Semi-Final (Nunawading Spectres, 68-69) Paul Deacon
1990 3rd 17 7 70.8 Loss Semi-Final (Nunawading Spectres, 69-89) Lori Chizik
1991 6th 11 11 50.0 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1992 6th 10 10 50.0 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1993 7th 7 11 38.8 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1994 8th 5 13 27.7 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1995 7th 6 12 33.3 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1996 3rd 14 4 77.7 Loss Semi-Final (Perth, 58-75) Lori Chizik
1997 9th 5 13 27.7 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1998 7th 3 9 25.0 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1998–99 5th 11 10 52.3 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1999–00 3rd 11 10 52.3 Won Semi-Final (Perth, 61-60)

Loss Premliminary Final (Canberra, 66-80)

Lori Chizik
2000–01 6th 7 14 33.3 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
2001–02 6th 6 15 28.5 Did Not Quality Cheryl Chambers
2002–03 6th 6 15 28.5 Did Not Quality Cheryl Chambers
2003–04 6th 7 9 43.7 Did Not Quality Cheryl Chambers
2004–05 2nd 16 5 76.1 Loss Semi-Final (Dandenong, 59-63)

Loss Premliminary Final (Sydney, 71-79)

Cheryl Chambers
2005–06 4th 13 8 61.9 Loss Semi-Final (Canberra, 62-67) Cheryl Chambers
2006–07 5th 12 9 57.1 Did Not Quality Cheryl Chambers
2007–08 5th 11 13 45.8 Did Not Quality Cheryl Chambers
2008–09 2nd 17 5 77.2 Loss Semi-Final (Canberra, 52-60)

Win Preliminary Final (Townsville, 79-68)

Loss Grand Final (Canberra, 58-61)

Cheryl Chambers
2009–10 1st 21 1 95.4 Won Semi-Final (Sydney, 72-55)

Loss Grand Final (Canberra, 70-75)

Tom Maher
2010–11 1st 19 3 86.3 Won Semi-Final (Canberra, 71-67)

Won Grand Final (Canberra, 103-78)

Tom Maher
2011–12 2nd 15 7 68.1 Won Semi-Final (Adelaide, 73-70)

Loss Grand Final (Dandenong, 70-94)

Tom Maher
2012–13 5th 10 14 41.6 Did Not Quality Tom Maher
Melbourne Boomers
2013–14 4th 14 10 58.3 Loss Semi-Final (Townsville, 73-78) Guy Molloy
2014–15 6th 11 11 50.0 Did Not Quality Guy Molloy
2015–16 8th 8 16 33.3 Did Not Quality Guy Molloy
2016–17 7th 5 19 20.8 Did Not Quality Guy Molloy
2017–18 4th 12 9 57.1 Won Semi-Final (Perth, 2-0)

Loss Grand Final (Townsville, 1-2)

Guy Molloy
2018–19 2nd 15 6 71.4 Loss Semi-Final (Adelaide, 0-2) Guy Molloy
2019–20 3rd 15 6 71.4 Loss Semi-Final (Canberra, 1-2) Guy Molloy
2020 4th 9 4 69.2 Won Semi-Final (Canberra, 78-68)

Loss Preliminary Final (Townsville, 62-65)

Guy Molloy
2021–22 1st 12 5 70.5 Won Semi-Final (Adelaide, 2-0)

Won Grand Final (Perth, 2-1)

Guy Molloy
2022–23 3rd 15 6 71.4 Loss Semi-Final (Southside, 1-2) Chris Lucas
2023–24 3rd 12 9 57.1 Loss Semi-Final (Southside, 1-2) Chris Lucas
Regular season 425 415 50.5 3 Minor Premierships
Finals 11 19 36.6 2 WNBL Championships

Players[edit]

Current roster[edit]

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

Former coaches[edit]

Former players[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Club History". BulleenBoomers.com.au. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "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. ^ a b "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

External links[edit]

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