Geelong United boss Mark Neeld says he does not want to be part of an unsustainable future for the league

Geelong United is keen to understand the grand plans of the WNBL’s new owners, saying it did not want a part of an unsustainable future.

Geelong United’s Haley Jones has been crowned the club’s first MVP. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Geelong United is keen to learn more about the new WNBL owners’ plans for the future amid a history of financially-strappedfranchises.

At United’s annual awards show on Tuesday night, franchise chief executive Mark Neeld said Geelong was committed to workingclosely with the league’s new ownership group.

The competition will be taken over by the Wollemi Capital Group Syndicate and the NBL Group from April 2, with new chief executiveJennie Sager in attendance at Mt Duneed Estate on Tuesday.

“We look forward to having a look at the further details of the organisation’s future plans,” Neeld said.

“We also are very strong in the belief that a league that sees 25 per cent of the clubs go broke every year just trying tocover the costs is not a sustainable future, and not one that we want to be a part of.

Geelong United chief executive Mark Neeld. Picture: Geelong United.

“Our organisation commits to working together with the new league, all the other clubs, the players and their representativesto establish a model that is sensible and fair, and grows over time as the value of women’s sport increases.”

“We want to work with you, work with the seven other clubs, work with the players and their representatives to bring the sportup in what I would call a sensible and fair manner.

“We believe the future is bright, we believe being involved with female basketball is a wonderful thing to be involved with.

“We welcome you and your new group and we can’t see the ideas you’re going to bring forward.”

Neeld was proud to look back on the birth of United, which had evolved over a rapid five-month period where it assembled acoach, playing roster, financial partners and a home court.

“For that five-month you worked your backsides off to put this show on,” he said to United’s staff in the room.

Geelong United players Haley Jones, Jaz Shelley, Elissa Brett and Hannah Hank. Picture: Geelong United.

“I have run into so many people at the games that we’ve all been thrilled to watch, that have said things like: ‘I thoughtabout it, I could have done it, I should have done it, oh yeah, we had a chat about bringing a national team back to Geelong’.

“Thank you for everything you have done, absolutely amazing.”

He said nobody in the room would have thought 12 months ago United would have been a thing this WNBL season.

Meanwhile, Neeld singled out coach Chris Lucas for his hard work in 24-25.

“You taught us all a lot,” he said.

“To begin developing a culture from day dot is tough work.

“And you and your team have done an exemplary job, and I think we are well placed and the future of the organisation at thislevel is in great hands.”

He was also glowing of the resilience of the playing group, following injuries to Keely Froling, Taylor Mole and Dani Raber

“We could not be more placed with the way you dealt with everything,” he said.

“You’ve built a solid foundation on which to grow, and we have seen significant individual and collective development.

“Most importantly, we are really beginning to see the community of Geelong embrace all of you and the team as a whole.

“High performance sport is tough, it’s fascinating.

“It’s interesting world where every single thing that you do on a basketball court on game night, and everything you do onthe training court during the day is analysed, measure, commented on.

“You get feedback from all areas, that’s tough work.”

Haley Jones rediscovers her love for hoops in Geelong

Haley Jones says she had rediscovered her love for her game playing with Geelong United this summer, with the guard now “turnt up” for a third season in the WNBA.

The import was the toast of United’s awards night on Tuesday, winning the club’s first-ever MVP award – based on a 3-2-1 per game voting system via United’s coaching staff.

The 23-year-old credited both the club’s staff and her teammates for what has been a positive season down under for the Californian, who averaged 14.3 points a game, as well as 6.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

Haley Jones will return to Atlanta Dream for the 2025 WNBA season. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

At a club level, she was also first for total rebounds and average blocks, number two for average points (14.3) and assists (three) and shot 80 points more than her nearest rival in Jaz Shelley (220).

“Coming here I was really nervous, it was my first time with an overseas gig and I think over the past few seasons I’ve sort of struggled with my love of the game, love of being in the gym but with these girls, I tell them I love them all the time, but I really do,” Jones said.

“(It’s) really just the girls, getting to be excited to go to practice, loving what I do.”

Jones, who headed back to the US on Wednesday, believed her stint down under would set her up well for a third WNBA campaign with Atlanta Dream.

“I think this whole season has done a lot for me, confidence on the court, just getting my flow back, feeling like myself again, I think a variety of things are going to help me transition all that back into the W this summer,” she said.

After two-straight first round playoff exits, the Dream have made plenty of moves ahead of the 2025 season, appointing a new coach in Karl Smesko and welcoming a trio of star signings in 10-time All Star center Brittney Griner, three-time All Star forward Brionna Jones, who lined up for Adelaide in the WNBL this summer, and veteran guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough.

Meanwhile, Australian young guns Isobel Borlase and Nyadiew Puoch, both 20, are development players at the Dream.

“Big things,” Jones declared, in what to expect from the Dream this season.

“We’re a big super team, a lot of tall women, I’m really excited about it.

“I’m excited to get back, we’ve got a good amount of returners, but also just bring the new people into the Dream family.

“I’m turnt up.”

As for a possible future return to Australia and the WNBL, Jones said the door was always open.

“I can see myself coming back at some point, I don’t really know my plans for next season (yet),” she said.

“I’ve always been excited about playing overseas whether its Europe or somewhere in Asia, but this is definitely a great first gig for me so who knows.”

Elissa Brett in action for Geelong United. Picture: Adam Trafford/Getty Images

Defensive powerhouse headed north for NBL1

Geelong United guard Elissa Brett will chase some sun this winter, signing with NBL1 North side Ipswich.

While several players will remain in Geelong, Brett will head north again, after suiting up for Newcastle in 2024.

Crowned United’s defensive player of the year at Tuesday night’s awards, Brett is expected to return to Geelong for the 2025/26 WNBL season.

Coach Chris Lucas said he had targeted Brett’s signature for their inaugural season, calling her “defensively, hard-nosed”.

Brett was pleased with her first year in the WNBL, where she averaged 8.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.05 steal a game, after five years playing college ball in the US.

“It’s been a good experience being my first year in the league, just getting that first foot in the door, it’s been amazing,” Brett said.

Shelley, Hank among fans, teammates’ choice

In the night’s other awards, stand-in captain Shelley won the People’s Choice Award, while Hannah Hank, a player Lucas dubbed most improved, won the Player’s Player Award.

Shelley stepped up in the absence of injured skipper Froling who missed the last 11 games due to a knee injury sustained against the Capitals on January 5.

However, the 24-year-old’s game would go to new heights, with brilliant performances in wins against the Southside Flyers (20 points, seven assists and steals) and the Sydney Flames (24 points, six assists, four steals) immediately after Froling’s injury.

The product of Port Lincoln oyster farmers, Hank was in the top five for total rebounds and points and average blocks, steals and rebounds per game.

Hank boasts one of the more unique personal stories in the WNBL.

In her junior days, Hank’s parents would make the 14-hour round trip to Adelaide for her to pursue her basketball dreams.

Hank wears an oyster shell necklace around her neck as her parents always told her: “the world is your oyster”.

Originally published as Geelong United boss Mark Neeld says he does not want to be part of an unsustainable future for the league