GUB’s Community Spotlight Series aims to shine a light on our community clubs that make up the majority of our weekly competitions.
We’ll be checking in with all club presidents to find out not only about them, but also some club history and what’s happening behind the scenes.
Tell us a bit about yourself and how long you’ve been affiliated with the club?
My association with Pivot goes back to 1977 – I played under 12s which was the entry level competition when there were only about 8 clubs.
The competition had just moved to the Leisuretime Centre as its home, and the Supercats were about to enter the NBL (there were some raucous games of NBL at the Leisuretime).
Any average basketballer that never grew after grade 6, my highlights were mainly domestic with a few rep games including a memorable one before an NBL game against a visiting US team from Omaha. I did help out with the World U18 championship and got to see Luc Longley as a 16 year old. 48 years later I’ve been involved in playing, coaching (domestic and rep) and club administration at Pivot for all bar 3 or 4 years of working overseas (played in the London City basketball comp which exaggerated my ability).
A highlight of coaching was the under girls nationals as assistant to the late great Col Darrington. I enjoy my role with our hard working committee, love the Pivot community and coach where-ever I’m needed.
What area of Geelong does club the represent?
Central and southern Geelong.
How long has your club been operational for and what are some of the historical milestones for the club?
Pivot is a foundation club of the Geelong Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) and was formed 1948. Some significant milestones:
- Rawson, Stacey, Chandler and Dandy families establish Pivot City
- 1960 First Women GBL title (now 20 Winter titles)
- 1974 First Men GBL title (now 15 Winter titles)
- 1984 First Victorian Country Club Championship (now 11 times champions)
- 1985 Tim O’Leary and Murray Lovell play for the Supercats in NBL
- 1990s 5 Pivot senior men were playing for Supercats SEABL men’s team and Sarah Jefferies (Dandy) the SEABL women’s team
- 1996 Michelle Chandler plays in Women’s first Olympic Medal and recruited to WNBA
- 2000s Jason Reardon and Jamie Medved key players for SEABL Supercats
- 2012 Club Legends announced Robbie Johnstone, Tim O’Leary, Sarah Jefferies (Dandy), Lesley Dandy and Michelle Cleary (Chandler)
- 2014 Fivepeat for Men’s Championships
- 2020s NBL1 players Eve Braslis, Raini Matthews, Grace Spehar, Mackenzie Drew, Matilda Sewell, Cohen & Ethan Blythe, Marach Marach, Malang Athian
- 2022 First Aussie Hoops program
- 2023 Jason Reardon appointed Basketball Director
- 2024 Club participates in WNBL Originals membership
What does the future hold for your club?
After 75 years and counting, Pivot is focused on building to its 100 anniversary and beyond. The club philosophy is based on sustainability and success through quality coaching.
The club plans to help many more players achieve their basketball goals at all levels domestic, representative, state, national, US College, NBA or WNBA
