Caravan king Gerry Ryan to take over Dandenong Rangers WNBL licence

Jayco owner Gerry Ryan has been a long-time sponsor of the Dandenong Rangers — now, he’s being handed the licence to run the basketball club. And it’s likely to impact on the team’s name, colours and playing venue.

The landscape of basketball in Melbourne’s southeast is set for a shake-up with businessman Gerry Ryan taking over the Dandenong Rangers Women’s National Basketball League licence.

The Dandenong Basketball Association has operated the Rangers since the club’s entry in the national league in 1992.

They have ton three championships. ​

Ryan, through his Jayco Australia caravan company, has been a longtime supporter of women’s basketball and has sponsored the Rangers since 1997.

More recently, he has been a sponsor of the national women’s team, the Opals. ​

Though yet to be announced, the new club is likely to have a change of name, colours and possibly playing venue. ​

WNBL legend Cheryl Chambers has been unveiled as the franchise’s inaugural coach.

She told Leader this morning she was looking forward to working with an owner so committed to the local women’s game. ​

Jayco Caravans founder Gerry Ryan at the company's headquarters.

“It’s very exciting,” she said. “When Gerry contacted me, I was very honoured. ​

“He’s just a really unique guy. He wants to do it so females in the area can play at an elite level. ​

“His reach and his interest in sport goes far beyond basketball. ​

“His factory is in the (Dandenong) zone and he’s just so passionate about local girls being able to play.” ​

Chambers is one of the greats of the league, having played 261 games, mostly with the Bulleen Boomers, before coaching the club from 2002-09 and taking it to its first grand final. She then spent three years with the Sydney Uni Flames, including a championship win in 2016-17.​

Cheryl Chambers coaching the Sydney Uni Flames.

A three-time WNBL coach of the year, Chambers has also had stints as an assistant coach of the Opals and head coach of the Gems (Australia’s Under 19 side). ​

“It’s exciting, there’s a lot to do in a very short time,” she said. “But that doesn’t daunt me.” ​

Chambers said the process of recruiting a roster ready to start in October was already well underway and, while speculation is mounting as to just who the new franchise is targeting, she said player announcements would be made down the track. ​

Basketball is going through something of a renaissance and Melbourne’s southeast is leading the charge with a new franchise, the South East Melbourne Phoenix, making its NBL debut this season. ​

This week’s announcement only adds to the excitement. ​

“It is the heartland of basketball and we have to get out and reach out to the fans out there,” Chambers said.

“Although it’s going to be a new entity, we want to pay homage to Dandy because they did such a great job for so long.” ​