WELCOME TO GEELONG UNITED BASKETBALL’S WEEKLY UPDATE.
IN THIS EDITION:
- WNBL Update
- Coach Education Session
- All Abilities Golden Game Day
- VJBL Presentation Night
- GUB Wheelchair Basketball Team
- Community Strategic Plan Evening
- Spring Super Camps/Girls Got Game Camp
- B-All-In
- Ability Hoops
- VJBL Tryouts
- Koor Koor Ngitji Tournament Ref EOI
- Next Step Program
- Practice Like A Pro
- Future United Stars
- Momentum Hoops
WNBL Update:
Geelong Venom is thrilled to announce the signing of Alissa Pili for the upcoming WNBL season.
A native of Anchorage, Alaska, Pili was selected with pick eight in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx after a record-breaking senior year at the University of Utah. She eclipsed 2,000 career points, was named Pac-12 Player of the Year, and set Utah’s single-season scoring record with 727 points.
Pili, the first Polynesian player in WNBA history, joins the Venom following her most recent stint with the Los Angeles Sparks.
“I’m super excited to be playing in Geelong this season. I’ve heard incredible things about the team’s culture and coaching staff, and I feel like I’ll fit perfectly with their style of play. I lead by example, I push and encourage my teammates, and I’ll do whatever it takes to win—that’s what I’m bringing to the Venom,” said Pili.
The versatile 5’11 forward first turned heads at Utah with a 37-point preseason performance that prompted South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley to say simply: “We can’t stop her.” Pili carried that dominance into the Pac-12, averaging 21.4 points per game on 55% shooting from the field and 40% from three, becoming the fastest player in Utah history to reach 1,000 points—in just 48 games.
“Geelong fans can expect someone who’s steady, consistent and full of energy. I love getting excited for my teammates, I can stretch the floor, and I’m really looking forward to getting to work, meeting the team and stacking up the wins,” said Pili.
Geelong Venom head coach Chris Lucas said that he followed Pili’s college career and has been chasing her for the better part of two years.
“She’s an elite scorer both from the perimeter and the post, she has incredible offensive footwork, and she just thrives under pressure,” said Lucas.
“Alissa set records at Utah, electrified the Pac-12 with back-to-back 37-point performances against top-ranked teams, and in her rookie WNBA season showed what she can do at the pro level with a 20-point, perfect-from-deep burst in just 15 minutes. I am extremely pleased that she’s made the decision to come and play in Geelong.
“She’s dynamic, versatile, and exactly the type of player who can help take this team forward.”
Coach Education Session:
𝙏𝙊𝙋𝙄𝘾: Basketball S&C and injury prevention
Join us for this free online Coach Education Session presented by @coriobayhealthgroup on the 9/9 from 7pm.
Learn some key tips and tricks to help your player Get quicker, faster, stronger and more importantly stay on the court longer.
This sessions will cover a range of topics from load management, warm up and cool down procedures and basic exercises to help your player stay on court longer and avoid injury.
All Abilities Golden Game Day:
Celebrate the spirit of inclusion, teamwork, and achievement at the All-Abilities Golden Game Day — the grand final event of the All-Abilities competition!
This special evening will shine a spotlight on our incredible athletes as they take to the court for the final showdown of the season. It’s a chance to honour their hard work, dedication, and love for the game in front of a proud and supportive crowd.
Highlights Include:
- Grand final matchups featuring our All-Abilities teams
- Player presentations and end-of-season awards
- A community celebration of inclusive sport
- Bring your energy, wear your team colors, and help us create a golden atmosphere as we wrap up the season in style.
WHERE: Beyond Bank Stadium
WHEN: Friday September 19, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
All abilities. All heart. One golden game day.
VJBL Presentation Night:
Calling all VJBL players, parents and friends – The time to celebrate your achievements throughout this past season is here! With our first night of presentations already completed, we now look forward to seeing all our U16, U18 and U20 representatives this Saturday!
We can’t wait to see you there.
GUB Wheelchair Basketball Team:
Celebrate the Next Chapter in Inclusive Sport!
Join us in supporting the Geelong United Victorian Wheelchair Basketball League Team as they take the court for the second time!
Date: Saturday, 20th September
Location: Beyond Bank Stadium
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Experience the energy and skill of wheelchair basketball, connect with the community, and be part of a growing movement for inclusive sport in Geelong.
Let’s pack the stands and cheer them on!
Community Strategic Plan Evening:
Spring Super Camps/Girls Got Game Camp:
We’ve got an exciting basketball extravaganza in store for the upcoming spring school holidays!
Get set for five HUGE Super Camps, aimed to help build your skills and make you more confident on the court. Book for multiple camps to receive great discounts!
COST:
1 Camp – $60
2 Camps – $110
3 Camps – $160
4 Camps – $210
5 Camps – $250
6 Camps (including Girls Got Game Camp) – $290
Get yourself registered now, and don’t miss a second of the School Holiday fun!
Register for Super Camps here.
Register for Girls Got Game Camp here.
B-All-In:
B-ALL-IN is free a program where women build skills, confidence & community—On and Off the Court.
Step into a space designed just for women to grow their basketball skills while building lasting connections. The B-ALL-IN Program is a female-only initiative that blends athletic development with social connection in a fun, supportive environment.
What’s Included:
- Basketball Skill Development Sessions Learn and refine essential techniques—from dribbling and shooting to teamwork and strategy—guided by experienced coaches.
- Female-Only Community Train and connect with other women who share your passion for the game in a safe and empowering space.
- Tea, Coffee & Biscuits After Every Session Cool down, chat, and bond over a warm drink and sweet treats—because community matters as much as the game.
Whether you’re new to basketball or looking to sharpen your skills, B-ALL-IN is your chance to grow, play, and belong.
Find out more here.
VJBL Tryouts:
Our VJBL Tryouts are fast approaching!
Save the date for our October tryouts, and you could soon be donning a GUB jersey for the 2025/26 season!
For boys who have not played VJBL before and wish to try out for our U14, U16 and U18 squads, the first pre-screening tryout will be happening on September 14. If successful at this tryout, you will be invited to the following October tryouts.
Registration for the September pre-screening tryout are now open here.
Registrations for October VJBL tryouts are now open here.
Ability Hoops:
Ability Hoops is a program where Every Player Belongs!
This skill development basketball program designed specifically for junior players with intellectual disabilities. In proud partnership with Basketball Australia, we’re building a more inclusive future for the sport—one player at a time.
Find out more here.
Koor Koor Ngitji Tournament Ref EOI:
GUB will once again be holding a celebration of our sport by Coming Together (Waddawurrung: Koorr Koorr Ngitji) at our annual festival of basketball!
Expressions of interest are now open for tournament referees.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity, with spots available for all levels of refs across over 400 games throughout the weekend!
Find out more here.
Next Step Program:
Our Next Step Program is designed for Community basketball players looking to up-skill, develop their game, and learn from Geelong United’s VJBL coaches!
Join us and take the Next Step in your basketball journey!
Find out more here.
Practice Like A Pro:
Practice Like a Pro is a 6-week high-intensity skill development program built to mirror how professional players train.
Each week, players will step into a purposefully designed session that follows the same structure, standards, and flow as a pro-level workout — focused on efficiency, detail, and game-ready execution.
Registrations are now open – Find out more here.
Future United Stars:
Do you want to be a star of the future?
The Future United Stars program is a skill development program that will teach players how to be able to play competitively.
This program will be coordinated by GUB’s Coach & Athlete Development Manager, Simon Nicholson and coached by GUB’s U12 VJBL Coaches.
Registrations are now open – Find out more here.
Momentum Hoops:
Geelong United Basketball has teamed up with Freedom Sports to bring you its latest program, Momentum Hoops.
This skill-development initiative is for junior wheelchair basketball players aged 8+. Enjoy an inclusive program focusing on building basketball skills, confidence, and teamwork, while empowering young athletes to reach their full potential in a supportive and fun environment.
Find out more here.
Our mailing address is:
Geelong United Basketball
Beyond Bank Stadium
20 Crows Road
Belmont, Victoria 3216
Australia
