Geelong Arena tender: United to bid for management rights despite NBL interest

Geelong United Basketball is set to tender for the management rights of Geelong Arena when applications open, with interest expected from the NBL itself. Find out what each party is offering in their respective potential bids.

Gabe Hadley looks for an option for the Geelong United Supercats. Picture: Jacqui Neill.

Geelong United Basketball is set to submit a tender offer, in partnership with Belgravia Leisure, to secure the management rights of the Geelong Arena.

The official application process is set to open on September 18, 2023, with the City of Greater Geelong council to announce the successful tender in November, but the local organisation revealed its plans to secure the stadium.

Geelong United CEO Mark Neeld said the club was eager for the arena to remain a facility in which the community has daily access.

“Geelong Arena and the adjoining Annexe has been the heartbeat of basketball in the region for nearly 30 years,” he said.

“Geelong United Basketball uses the facility’s four courts seven days a week for our thriving Community Competition, which has 7000 participants from under-10s to seniors playing in club-based and social teams.

“We are committed to community access and maintaining that access.”

NBL co-owner Larry Kestelman revealed he sat down with the City of Greater Geelong Council earlier this year for “productive discussions” surrounding the future management of Geelong Arena.

The council had asked for proposals for future management arrangements, with potential tenures as long as five years.

Geelong United Supercats coach Matt Paton instructs his charges against Ringwood Hawks. Picture: SGP Media.

The NBL has been public in its desire for Geelong to return to the top flight again, almost 30 years after the Supercats exited the league in 1996.

A league spokesperson said there currently was not “an appropriate venue” to house an NBL franchise, with major upgrades and potential redevelopment potentially required before introducing a team to the area.

“Currently no venue exists that meets the high standards required by the NBL to be considered for expansion,” a spokesperson said in July.

“However, the NBL remains open to opportunities in the future should that change.”

Apr96. Geelong Supercats basketballer Matt Scalzi worked hard but could not overcome the Newcastle Falcons in the first game in the NBL season. a/ct /basketball

While the NBL would likely look to redevelop the facility for the league’s use if it was successful in its potential tender application, Mr Neeld said the Arena’s range of participation and inclusion programs would be expanded if Geelong United was successful in its offer.

“We are keen to see programs including Walking Basketball, All Abilities, Social Women’s and wheelchair basketball more readily accessible to the people of the northern suburbs,” he said.

“We thank Belgravia Leisure for wanting to be part of our journey of promoting lifelong activity across Greater Geelong.”

Belgravia Leisure CEO Nick Cox said he was excited in the potential partnership with Geelong United.

“Working collaboratively, with such a key stakeholder of the Arena, will enable us to increase participation via a range of new activations and reinstate its status as a vibrant events space for the Geelong community,” Mr Cox said.

Originally published as Geelong Arena tender: United to bid for management rights despite NBL interest