BASKETBALL
BIG V
By TOM HAYES
TIPPING off the basketball season in the right direction was Gippsland United, who launched season 2024 on Sunday, March 3 at the Traralgon Bowls Club.
Players and coaches came together with sponsors, friends, and family to announce what the next 12 months will look like for Gippsland United.
“A lot of things have happened over the last six months, which I’m sure everyone is aware about. But, from my perspective, what I think is exciting for us is that it’s all black and green in here,” Gippsland United Board Member, Brad Charles said.
During the afternoon, it was frequently mentioned that Gippsland United have enough to be playing in the Big V Championship next season, with aims to earn promotion for the second time in three years.
To enhance that opportunity, Gippsland United have renewed a number of partnerships, while adding new ones with the likes of Gippsland Physiotherapy Group, Traralgon Bowls Club, STADIUM 34, CME Installations, and Gippsland Motor Group all now a part of the club.
The addition of a youth league team in the VJBL will only provide a positive to the club, with those in that squad available to back-up the men’s side if needed, providing a seamless transition to the top level if the opportunity arises.
“What’s happening in the VJBL space, as well as the Big V space is all very exciting. Introducing a Youth League (team), there’s only one person in this room that made that happen – and that was Scott McKenzie,” Charles said.
“Right now we can see that it’s actually come to fruition. Scott has got a vision, the club has got a vision, and we know that we’ll fully support that.”
Gippsland United have begun discussions with local associations, in hopes to get them on board, including the likes of Moe and Sale. Identifying Gippsland as a location between Orbost, Pakenham, and Wonthaggi – there is quite a vast land area to be covered.
“We’re starting to get traction as a club, to ensure that we’re sustainable for a long time … and that’s what is gonna make this work,” Charles said.
“It’s people power that is gonna make us. Without people we’re nothing. We have a future, it’s gonna be a long future.”
Unfortunately, the championship winning Division 2 women’s side from last year will not be taking to the court in Division 1 this season.
“Looking in this room, we’ve got some lovely females that were apart of a journey – they were (Division) 2 champions last year – we will recover that,” Charles said.
“We understand there was certain reason why we landed where we landed, so we’ve taken a reset, and as people will see were introducing an Under 23 youth team, and there’s no other reason that it won’t grow into a senior team in the future.”
The men’s program will enter Year 3 with aspirations to excel into championship level.
“I’ve got a passion from when we started this two years ago, coming into our third year now that from the men’s program primarily our aim is to get into Championship level by Year 5,” Men’s Coach, Scott McKenzie said.
Gippsland United Men were promoted in Division 1 in their first season in the Big V, and made big impressions in their opening shot in Division 1.
McKenzie has been with the club since its inception and has improved as the years have gone by.
“With the group that we’ve got together this year, and then with the back-up of the new youth league guys, the men’s program is in really good stead going forward and should stay that way for another few years,” McKenzie said.
“Without that togetherness and without that unity between everyone, we don’t have success. So, I would be expecting success because the unity between these guys is awesome.”
Gippsland United import, Jalin Wimberly is excited to get the season started, and see what the Australian basketball scene is all about.
“I’m mostly looking forward to playing with the guys for the first time, it’s gonna be a big experience playing with a bunch of new guys so I’m really looking forward to just playing and get some dubs,” Wimberly said.
Wimberly has made a seemingly easy transition into the team and states he has felt welcomed from day one.
“These guys love me, I love the guys – it’s like we’ve been playing for years, it’s been good,” he said.
With aspirations of taking out the whole championship, Wimberly hopes to add another spark to Gippsland United, and looks forward to “cause some chaos” in the league.
Stephen O’Brien stepped into the co-captaincy role alongside Jordan Canovan for 2024, after spending the last two seasons in the leadership group. He too is looking forward to seeing what season 2024 has in store.
“I think that the team felt like we underachieved last year, we felt like we were one of the better squads, got knocked out in the semi (final) which was disappointing. So this year, we’ve definitely rest, refocussed, and are pushing to go for another championship. Anything else will be a disappointing season,” O’Brien said.
Specifically, Gippsland United have looked at deficiencies from seasons past, and looked to vacate those spots with people who can fill those deficiencies.
O’Brien named Korumburra’s Joel Winderlich who is expected to give some extra scoring punch, as well as Warragul’s Riley Morehu, who will add some depth at point guard.
Stepping into the co-captaincy role, O’Brien doesn’t think it will change much, but instead will extract the thoughts of the whole team through one voice.
Councillor Sharon Gibson shared her excitement during the launch, expressing how thrilled she was for the season to get underway and wishes all teams nothing but success.
The season is scheduled to tip off this weekend on March 16 and 17, with Gippsland United hosting two home games, against Whittlesea (March 16) and Altona (March 17).
Division 1 Men’s Squad
Ben Barlow, Callan Brooks, Jordan Canovan, Rohan Demczuk, Caleb Fallon, Jordan Gooiker, Riley Morehu, Stephen O’Brien, Thomas Portbury, Koby Tibballs, Joel Winderlich, Jalin Wimberly, Scott McKenzie (Coach).
VJBL Youth League Men’s Squad
Zac Bezzina, Mitchell Bruerton, Tyer Buurman, Rohan Demczuk, Heath Johnson, Ashton McAllen, Jackson McEwan, Riley Morehu, Tyler Richards, Callum Ross, Lachy Tankard, William Tankard, Koby Tibballs, Daniel Whitfield, Finbar Carey (Development), Joshua Keegan (Development), Jack Rawlings (Training), Seth Lear (Training), Riley Tolley (Training), Jayden McMillin (Coach).
