Geelong United Basketball (GUB) is proud to announce our newest Life Members.
Presentations were held last Friday, April 12 at the first Geelong United home game for the 2024 NBL1 South Season – Hosted by court-side announcer Beth Davis, with on court presentations from GUB’s Board Chairperson, Jessica Chappell.
VICKI KING
Vicki’s involvement with basketball in the Geelong region spans more than 20 years, first joining the small staffing team of 2 people at the Geelong Community Basketball Association in 2001 and quickly becoming known as a person to just get things done. Vicki pulled on the Geelong Cats basketball jersey with the Big V program in 2005 and played 182 games with the club from 2005-2014, winning a Big V State Championship in 2010 and a Big V Division 1 title in 2014. Vicki was also a committed player in the Community competition, winning two winter championships with YMCA and the Division 1 MVP in 2013. Since re-joining the staff team as the finance administrator at Geelong United in 2018, Vicki has aided and guided the management through a successful merger, survived extensive COVID lockdowns, and improved and enhanced the organisation’s processes around financial management.
PAUL BUGG
Paul has been a volunteer and committee member with the Sharks Basketball Club for 16 years, and has held the position of President at the club since 2012. Paul has overseen tremendous growth within this Community Club, with Sharks Basketball Club now the largest in the region with a total of 104 teams. Paul has always been a huge advocate for All Abilities basketball and has been instrumental in promoting these programs and creating an inclusive environment at Sharks Basketball Club where people of all abilities are welcome and encouraged to participate. Paul is still an active player and coach within the Community competition, coaching the Championship women’s Sharks team that has seen multiple summer and winter season trophies over the past few years.
CRAIG COLE
Craig is the current president of Rovers Basketball Club, another of the clubs in the Community competition. Craig first joined the committee of Rovers in 2008, and was elected president in 2011, a position he still holds today. Craig has also been an active player within the community competition for over twenty years and has coached countless teams, including being the current coach of the women’s division 3 Rovers team. Craig committed himself to rebuilding Rovers Basketball Club after some difficult years of low player numbers, and under Craig’s guidance the club is now one of the top participating clubs in the community competition.
GRAEME MOORE
Graeme’s association with basketball in the Geelong region started back in 1994, when the Sharks Basketball Club entered the community competition of that year. Graeme started as a committee member and soon took on the role of President which he held continuously until 2010. Graeme has remained on the Sharks committee to this day, and during his time with the club he has coached and mentored many players. In addition to his commitment to Sharks Basketball Club, Graeme has been a valuable member of the Basketball Victoria tribunal for more than 15 years, including being a tribunal chair and acting as the Appeals Officer. Graeme is well known in basketball circles for his 3 Rs speech – Respect, Responsibility and Reputation.
FRANK MORRISSY
Frank joined the VJBL Committee in 1996 ad was elevated to president in 1997. In 2002, he joined the board of what was then known as the Geelong Amateur Basketball Association, and became President of GABA in 2003, bringing the VJBL program under the banner of GABA. During Frank’s presidency of GABA, which then became known as Basketball Geelong, the organisation successfully tendered for and hosted several national and international basketball tournaments and games, including world cup qualifiers and co-ordinating the Geelong based matches of the 2006 Commonwealth games. Frank also served as Basketball Geelong’s delegate to Basketball Victoria Country Council and Basketball Victoria. A 2-time Basketball Geelong Volunteer of the Year award winner, Frank has also been the winner of the Big V Volunteer of the Year award. Frank served as the Geelong Big V game day coordinator for 18 years, and as the SEABL and NBL1 game commissioner for 8 years. Frank continues his contribution today as a community competition and VJBL coach.
Congratulations to our newest life members, and thank you for your commitment and service to basketball in Geelong.
Presentation pieces written by Beth Davis
