Community Spotlight Series: Brent Wright – Try Boys
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?
I played 10 years of junior basketball before returning to the club around two and a half years ago as an assistant coach in the Aussie Hoops program where my children were participating.
About 18 months ago I joined the General Committee, and more recently I stepped into the Vice President role to continue supporting the club and its community.
What area of Geelong does club the represent?
Being based in East Geelong, Try Boys Basketball Club has strong representation from the eastern suburbs of Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula. We are also seeing strong participation growth from areas such as Highton, as well as the developing suburbs of Armstrong Creek and Mount Duneed, reflecting the club’s growing reach across the wider Geelong region.
How long has your club been operational for and what are some of the historical milestones for the club?
Try Boys Basketball Club has a proud and long-standing history within the Geelong sporting community, having been established in 1948 as part of the Geelong Try Boys Brigade. The club was formed to support and engage local youth through sport and has remained an important part of the region’s basketball landscape ever since.
Some of the club’s major historical milestones include:
- Becoming one of the founding basketball clubs in Geelong and contributing to the development of what is now Geelong United Basketball.
- The construction of the Try Boys Stadium in the 1950s/60s, which remains the club’s home venue today and provided one of Geelong’s earliest dedicated indoor basketball facilities.
- Building a strong reputation for developing players, coaches, and administrators, with many progressing to success at local, state and national levels.
- Growing into one of Geelong’s largest and most respected domestic basketball clubs, now supporting nearly 400 players of all ages and abilities each week.
- Maintaining a strong focus on inclusivity, community engagement and junior development, helping generations of families participate in basketball in a welcoming and family-friendly environment.
The club continues to build on this legacy today, combining a rich history with a strong commitment to developing the next generation of basketballers both on and off the court.
What does the future hold for your club?
The future of Try Boys Basketball Club is focused on continued growth, inclusion and strengthening our community impact across the wider Geelong region. The club is committed to expanding opportunities for players of all ages and abilities to get involved in basketball.
A key focus moving forward is continuing to develop strong pathways for players, coaches, and volunteers, while maintaining the welcoming, family-oriented culture the club has built over generations. The club is also investing player development programs to ensure long-term sustainability and a positive experience for all players.
The future also includes growing our All Abilities programs, increasing female participation, strengthening community partnerships and continuing to improve facilities and resources to support the next generation of players. Above all, the club wants to remain a place where people can learn, compete, build friendships and feel connected to their local community through sport.
