Geelong United Basketball Weekly Update – March 10

WELCOME TO GEELONG UNITED BASKETBALL’S WEEKLY UPDATE.

IN THIS EDITION:

NBL1 Update:

Less than 20 days until our season opener:

With our season opener fast approaching on March 28, our squads are deep into training in preparation for our first big home game against Kilsyth.

Taking on a bigger role in 2026, star point guard Lilly Rotunno is looking to become more of a scoring threat this season…

L Rotuinno Nbl1

New signings:

More big names have been added in the lead up to our 2026 campaigns.

Nbl1 Signings

Jackson Talbot returns to our men’s squad for another year. The young guard returns bringing energy, scoring ability and extensive work rate.

Malang Athian is also on board. The versatile 6’7 forward brings collegiate experience from the U.S., along with athleticism and the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor.

On our women’s roster, a big import signing is locked in with Reagan Bass signing on the dotted line. The versatile forward brings high-level NCAA experience from Purdue University, where she lead the team in rebounding and blocks. Known for her strength in the paint, rebounding and ability to impact both ends of the floor, Reagan adds size and toughness.

Jordan Vasques rounds out this weeks’ group of announcements. The versatile forward joins us after a dominant NBL1 East campaign with the Penrith Panthers, where she produced multiple double-doubles and proved herself as one of the league’s most impactful players. With strong rebounding, inside scoring and the ability to influence the game on both ends, Jordan adds serious presence to our front court.

We’re also excited to announce that memberships are now available for the upcoming season!

Secure your seat for every single home of the NBL1 South 2026 season now!

More details available here.

BigV Youth League Update:

Big V Games

Our BigV Youth League VYC squads are ready to hit the court this weekend.

Our Men’s squad will kick off their season with a home game against Frankston on Saturday, then back it up on Sunday as they join our VYC Women’s squad on the road to Nunawading for a Sunday double header.

Get your tickets at the door for this Saturday’s home game – We look forward to seeing you there!

VJBL Update:

VJBL Weekly Wrap:

Each week we’ll be selecting VJBL teams to be a part of our weekly wrap!

With round 1 of the 2026 season now in the books, check out all the latest from each of this week’s selected teams here.

VJBL Teams of the Week:

Thanks to Laserquest, we will once again be awarding Team of the Week honours to a selected group of teams throughout each round of the 2026 VJBL season.

This week, the glory goes to:

U12 Girls 2
U14 Boys 4
U14 Girls 3

Congratulations, and all the best for the remainder of the season.

Rod Bush Retires:

Rod Bush - Fb Insta Post 1

We would like to acknowledge the retirement of one of the greats in the referee space, GUB Life Member Rod Bush.

A stellar list of career achievements, a mentor to many, and appreciated by all for the knowledge and guidance shared to many aspiring referees.

We wish you the very best Rod, and thank you for all you’ve given to the GUB community.

Winter Competition Registrations:

GUB’s Winter Season is fast approaching!

Social and school registrations are now open (please speak with your club about your club teams entry for this season).

Team entries due on April 13th, 11:55 pm. Teams are accepted after this, but will incur a $20.00 late fee.

GUB April Super Camps:

We’ve got an exciting basketball extravaganza in store for the upcoming Easter 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

Spots will full up fast, so register now before you miss out on the fun!

Full details here.

Fast Break Friday:

Looking for some extra game time during the Easter holidays? Fast Break Friday is your chance to hit the court, play non-stop basketball, and have fun with friends!

What is it? Open Runs for community-level players across these age groups:

Under 10’s
Under 12’s
Under 14’s
Under 16’s
Under 18’s

Each session runs for 2 hours of continuous basketball action. Players will be placed into teams based on age group. Games run in 10-minute blocks with short breaks in between – fast-paced and fun!

Full details here.

GUB Legacy Cup 2026:

The Legacy Cup is back for 2026!

It’s time for basketball clubs across Victoria to showcase their talent and compete for the ultimate title.

This tournament is all about celebrating grassroots basketball — the players, the teams, and the communities that make local hoops so special.

Whether you’re a well-seasoned squad or an up-and-coming team, the Legacy Cup is your chance to shine!

Teams will battle it out across multiple divisions (U10’s, 12’s, 14’s, 16’s 18’s & seniors) for the prestigious title of Victorian Club Champion in their division. The club that wins the most championships across all divisions will be crowned Legacy Cup Champion — the true champion of community basketball!

Find out more here.

Wheelchair Comp EOI:

Wheelchair Basketball is back for Winter 2026, and we’re aiming to expand opportunities for players across our community!

We’ve launched an Expression of Interest form for anyone keen to play.

Find out more here.

Step Above Skills Sessions:

Take your game to the next level!

Geelong United Basketball’s Step Above Skills Sessions are all about stepping up your game and learning the skills that will help you get ahead of the pack.

These sessions are for VJBL athletes and others wanting to improves their skills by attending one or both sessions. Hosted by special guest Geelong United NBL1 players, each session will be focused on specific skills based development that will help all athletes better their game.

Find out more and register here.

Coach Development Sessions:

We’re excited to launch our 2026 Coach Development Sessions!

These FREE sessions focus on leadership, culture, confidence, and wellbeing, giving coaches practical tools they can apply immediately in their teams and programs.

Whether you’re new to coaching or highly experienced, these sessions are about learning, sharing, and continuing to grow as coaches.

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Mental Health Toolkit For Coaches
Sunday, March 29 | 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Presenter: Chris Lytas – Right Mate

Chris Lytas is the founder of Right Mate, a men’s mental health charity. Chris will lead a practical workshop focused on mental health awareness in young people. Coaches will learn key signs to look out for, how to approach conversations with individuals who may be struggling, and how to best support players, staff, and themselves in a safe and meaningful way.

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Registrations are now open, so get in quick to reserve your spot here.

Community Development Program:

Looking to build your skills and get an extra training session in each week?

The Community Development Program is a great opportunity for players in the GUB Community Competitions to grow their game in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Each session focuses on:

Skill development
Game IQ
Confidence building

Led by Program Coordinator Courtney Burke, the program offers a fun and engaging space for players to learn, improve, and enjoy basketball even more.

Full details here.

Shooting School:

Want to take your game to the next level? Our Shooting School is designed for junior players in the Geelong United Community Competition who are looking for an extra session focused on improving shooting skills through game-like activities.