Melbourne Boomers Women
Wikipedia - Melbourne Boomers
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.
In 1984, BTBC secured a licence to join the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL), marking the debut of the Bulleen Boomers.
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. 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.
In 2016, a new ownership group took over the license to run the Boomers.
In the 2021–22 season, the Boomers won their second WNBL championship under coach Guy Molloy.
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.
The Melbourne Boomers Women's team is known for their fast-paced and exciting style of play, with a focus on strong defense and high-scoring offense. The team is led by a talented roster of players, including both seasoned veterans and up-and-coming stars.
The team's home games are played at the State Basketball Centre in Melbourne, where they have a dedicated and passionate fan base that cheers them on to victory. The Melbourne Boomers Women's team is a powerhouse in the WNBL and is always a contender for the championship title.
Off the court, the Melbourne Boomers Women's team is actively involved in the community, participating in various outreach programs and initiatives to promote the sport of basketball and inspire the next generation of female athletes.
Overall, the Melbourne Boomers Women's basketball team is a force to be reckoned with in the WNBL, known for their skill, determination, and commitment to excellence both on and off the court.