Melbourne Boomers

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(Redirected from Bulleen Boomers)

Melbourne Boomers
Melbourne Boomers logo
LeaguesWNBL
Founded1984
HistoryBulleen Boomers
1984–2013
Melbourne Boomers
2013–present
ArenaParkville Stadium
Capacity3,500
LocationMelbourne, Victoria
Team colorsPurple and gold
Main sponsorDeakin University Australia
Head coachChris Lucas
Team captainTBC
Championships2 (2011, 2022)
Websitewnbl.basketball/melbourne

The Melbourne Boomers are an Australian professional basketball team based in Melbourne, Victoria. The Boomers compete in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) and play their home games at Parkville Stadium. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as the Deakin Melbourne Boomers.

History

Bulleen-Templestowe Basketball Club (BTBC) was established in 1969.[1]

In 1984, BTBC secured a licence to join the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL),[1] marking the debut of the Bulleen Boomers.[2]

The Boomers' first coach was Trevor Cook and the initial team included Michele Timms and Samantha Thornton who both would go on to represent Australia with distinction in future years. The club first qualified for the finals in 1989 under the guidance of coach Paul Deacon and, after progressing to the same stage the following year, missed the playoffs until 1996 when, in coach Lori Chizik's first season, Bulleen finished third in the regular season before bowing out in the semi-finals. Chizik led the Boomers to the preliminary final in 1999/00, the club's best ever result. Cheryl Chambers took over in 2001/02 and steered the club to two finals appearances, including the 2004/05 preliminary final.

In the mid-2000s the likes of Katrina Hibbert and Hollie Grima formed the backbone of the Boomers. Hibbert won back-to-back league MVP awards in 2004/05 and 2005/06 while Grima was crowned league MVP in 2006/07.

Liz Cambage, Rachel Jarry and Jenna O'Hea helped the Boomers win the WNBL championship in 2010/11.

In 2013, the Boomers changed their name from "Bulleen" to "Melbourne" to target a wider area of population and boost crowd numbers.[2] The team also changed its colours from blue and gold to purple and gold, and moved their home games to the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna.[3]

In 2016, a new ownership group took over the license to run the Boomers.[2]

In the 2021–22 season, the Boomers won their second WNBL championship under coach Guy Molloy.[4][5]

In March 2024, Geelong United Basketball and a consortium of local private investors from Geelong expressed interest in acquiring the Boomers' licence after the Boomers' longtime ownership group looked to transfer its licence.[6][7]

Season-by-season records

Season Standings Regular season Finals Head coach
W L PCT
Bulleen Boomers
1984 9th 5 13 27.7 Did Not Quality Trevor Cook
1985 10th 3 15 16.6 Did Not Quality Trevor Cook
1986 12th 5 19 20.8 Did Not Quality Trevor Cook
1987 11th 3 17 15.0 Did Not Quality Trevor Cook
1988 10th 5 17 22.7 Did Not Quality Trevor Cook
1989 4th 16 8 66.6 Loss Semi-Final (Nunawading Spectres, 68-69) Paul Deacon
1990 3rd 17 7 70.8 Loss Semi-Final (Nunawading Spectres, 69-89) Lori Chizik
1991 6th 11 11 50.0 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1992 6th 10 10 50.0 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1993 7th 7 11 38.8 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1994 8th 5 13 27.7 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1995 7th 6 12 33.3 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1996 3rd 14 4 77.7 Loss Semi-Final (Perth, 58-75) Lori Chizik
1997 9th 5 13 27.7 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1998 7th 3 9 25.0 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1998–99 5th 11 10 52.3 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
1999–00 3rd 11 10 52.3 Won Semi-Final (Perth, 61-60)

Loss Premliminary Final (Canberra, 66-80)

Lori Chizik
2000–01 6th 7 14 33.3 Did Not Quality Lori Chizik
2001–02 6th 6 15 28.5 Did Not Quality Cheryl Chambers
2002–03 6th 6 15 28.5 Did Not Quality Cheryl Chambers
2003–04 6th 7 9 43.7 Did Not Quality Cheryl Chambers
2004–05 2nd 16 5 76.1 Loss Semi-Final (Dandenong, 59-63)

Loss Premliminary Final (Sydney, 71-79)

Cheryl Chambers
2005–06 4th 13 8 61.9 Loss Semi-Final (Canberra, 62-67) Cheryl Chambers
2006–07 5th 12 9 57.1 Did Not Quality Cheryl Chambers
2007–08 5th 11 13 45.8 Did Not Quality Cheryl Chambers
2008–09 2nd 17 5 77.2 Loss Semi-Final (Canberra, 52-60)

Win Preliminary Final (Townsville, 79-68)

Loss Grand Final (Canberra, 58-61)

Cheryl Chambers
2009–10 1st 21 1 95.4 Won Semi-Final (Sydney, 72-55)

Loss Grand Final (Canberra, 70-75)

Tom Maher
2010–11 1st 19 3 86.3 Won Semi-Final (Canberra, 71-67)

Won Grand Final (Canberra, 103-78)

Tom Maher
2011–12 2nd 15 7 68.1 Won Semi-Final (Adelaide, 73-70)

Loss Grand Final (Dandenong, 70-94)

Tom Maher
2012–13 5th 10 14 41.6 Did Not Quality Tom Maher
Melbourne Boomers
2013–14 4th 14 10 58.3 Loss Semi-Final (Townsville, 73-78) Guy Molloy
2014–15 6th 11 11 50.0 Did Not Quality Guy Molloy
2015–16 8th 8 16 33.3 Did Not Quality Guy Molloy
2016–17 7th 5 19 20.8 Did Not Quality Guy Molloy
2017–18 4th 12 9 57.1 Won Semi-Final (Perth, 2-0)

Loss Grand Final (Townsville, 1-2)

Guy Molloy
2018–19 2nd 15 6 71.4 Loss Semi-Final (Adelaide, 0-2) Guy Molloy
2019–20 3rd 15 6 71.4 Loss Semi-Final (Canberra, 1-2) Guy Molloy
2020 4th 9 4 69.2 Won Semi-Final (Canberra, 78-68)

Loss Preliminary Final (Townsville, 62-65)

Guy Molloy
2021–22 1st 12 5 70.5 Won Semi-Final(Adelaide, 2-0)

Won Grand Final (Perth, 2-1)

Guy Molloy
2022–23 3rd 15 6 71.4 Loss Semi-Final (Southside, 1-2) Chris Lucas
2023–24 3rd 12 9 57.1 Loss Semi-Final (Southside, 1-2) Chris Lucas
Regular season 425 415 50.5 3 Minor Premierships
Finals 11 19 36.6 2 WNBL Championships

Players

Current roster

2023–24 Melbourne Boomers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht.
G 0 United States Canada, Jordin (I) 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
G 2 Australia Burrows, Paige (DP) 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
G 3 Australia Wallace, Kristy 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
G 4 Australia Calleia, Sherrie 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
G 5 Australia Graham, Grace (DP) 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
F 6 Australia Simmons, Taylah 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
F 7 United States Hillmon, Naz (I) 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
C 10 Australia Mckay, Megan
G 11 New Zealand Reed, Tera 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
F 12 New Zealand Davidson, Penina 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
G 14 Australia Conti, Monique 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)
F 21 Australia Froling, Keey 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
G 22 Australia Rocci, Aime 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
G 24 Australia Carmody, Lily (DP) 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
G 42 Australia Rotunno, Lily (DP) 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
F 46 Australia Blicavs, Sara Injured 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (I) Import player
  • Injured Injured

Updated: 2 March 2024

Former coaches

Former players

References

  1. ^ a b "Club History". BulleenBoomers.com.au. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "About Us". wnbl.basketball/melbourne. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  3. ^ Ward, Roy (7 October 2013). "Boomers rebound in second quarter to shoot down Flames". smh.com.au. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  4. ^ Boomers look forward to celebrating championship season
  5. ^ Strong steady hand to lead WNBL Champions
  6. ^ Randall, Michael; Clark, Jay (10 March 2024). "Geelong group makes play for Melbourne Boomers' WNBL licence". Geelong Advertiser. Archived from the original on 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  7. ^ Cameron, Ben; Randall, Michael (21 March 2024). "The Geelong United Basketball Association and a consortium of investors plan to enter teams in elite women's competitions". Geelong Advertiser. Archived from the original on 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  8. ^ Boomers add basketball legend to coaching panel

External links