End of an era: The Melbourne Boomers move to Geelong is a done deal
A frustrated Boomers chairman Tony Hallam has fired a parting shot at Basketball Australia after confirmation the WNBL’s oldest club’s license would transfer to Geelong.
Basketball
Don't miss out on the headlines from Basketball. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Melbourne Boomers chairman Tony Hallam has delivered a parting shot at Basketball Australia’s failure to financially step up to meet the challenge of growing women’s sport after confirming the oldest WNBL club had transferred the licence to Geelong.
The Boomers confirmed this masthead’s exclusive reporting the club has bounced its last ball, with Hallam lamenting the “significant financial challenges” faced across women’s sport. Hallam said the licence would be transferred to Geelong and revealed ownership could no longer underwrite the club after funding a $1.5 million shortfall over the past eight years. Hallam, on behalf of the Boomers ownership group, expressed frustration with Basketball Australia over its lack of support for clubs.
“As we pursue equality in elite women’s sport, there is, quite rightly, an increasing expectation by our wonderful athletes and coaches in terms of remuneration and working conditions (enjoyed by their male equivalents) – however these significant rising costs cannot continue to be absorbed just by the private owners, without the support of the current league owner, Basketball Australia,” Hallam said in a statement.
“Sadly, this outcome reflects the very real financial challenges which professional women’s sport faces, and in particular the WNBL, where the current funding structure of the league requires that club operations are fully funded by club owners.”
The Boomers are not alone in confronting the harsh financial realities of life in the WNBL. Rivals Southside Flyers won this year’s title but still face a bill of $700,000 while non-finalist Adelaide Lightning will need to find another $750,000 after last season.
While sports such as women’s cricket, Super Netball and AFLW have reaped enormous rewards from growing professionalism and full-time contracts, the WNBL is being left behind.
The Boomers has existed for 40 years, winning two championships and helping to launch and develop the career of some of Australia’s finest Opals players.
Hallam noted some of the fine achievements of the club throughout their history, including seven consecutive WNBL finals appearance since 2017 and the creation of the Melbourne Boomers Academy.
Crucially, the Academy and the other legacy community program Mamma Ball will continue with the club determined to work closely with the new Geelong club to secure a pathway for elite female players into the WNBL.
“We would like to formally recognise and thank our naming rights sponsor Deakin University for enabling us to achieve so much over the last 10 years, and to our many other sponsors and partners who have enabled the Deakin Melbourne Boomers to make a significant contribution to professional women’s basketball,” Hallam said.
More Coverage
Originally published as End of an era: The Melbourne Boomers move to Geelong is a done deal
‘Chaos’: Boomers legend’s grave fears after Paris selection shocks
Australia’s ageing veterans must embrace reduced on-court roles at the Paris Olympics, otherwise a Boomers legend fears the campaign could blow up if egos aren’t checked at the front door.
Teen’s irresistible case for Olympic selection as big Opals call looms
The Opals’ future may have already arrived, with a teen sensation producing an irresistible case for Olympics selection in Australia’s last pre-Games hit-out. MICHAEL RANDALL analyses the Opals’ performance, and picks his squad for Paris inside.