Geelong United Basketball (GUB) is pleased to announce the signing of our inaugural WNBL Head Coach, Chris Lucas (2 year contract).
Lucas, a strong advocate for Women’s sport, has spent his entire career working exclusively in Women’s basketball leagues, and brings a wealth of experience to Geelong United. Chris has a proven track record in the WNBL, coaching Townsville to back to back WNBL championships from 2014-2016 – An achievement which would see him appointed as the Assistant Coach of the Australian Opals, which won a silver medal at the 2018 World Cup in Spain.
And now a new and exciting challenge lies ahead, as Lucas takes the reigns of a brand new franchise – “I haven’t felt this way in a long time. I’m very excited, and very appreciative to Mark Neeld (GUB CEO) and the Board for giving me this opportunity.”
In recent years, Lucas has coached WNBL teams to successive finals campaigns, something which he hopes to continue here in Geelong – “The expectations of every coach in the league is to make finals, and mine is no different. We’re hoping to put an extremely competitive group together that will hopefully put us in a position to make finals.”
Geelong United Basketball CEO, Mark Neeld is excited by the experience Lucas brings, and believes he is the perfect person to guide our team through its maiden WNBL season – “Our values at GUB are United, Inclusive, Professional, and Integrity – and as our first WNBL coach, Chris aligns with those values perfectly. We had early conversations with each other once this opportunity to join the WNBL presented itself, and we really saw his passion for the players and the WNBL product as a whole. We’re in very good hands with Chris at the helm.”
The hard work now begins, as Lucas and GUB look to put together the best team possible, with the hopes of making an immediate impact once the WNBL season gets underway – “This is the hardest part of the year, recruitment and free agency,” Lucas said. “I want to make sure we create a terrific balance in the team, covering all positions on the floor with a blend of experience and youth. Traditionally my teams play an up tempo style, and that blend of experience and youth will bring some real excitement to the group.”
Please join us in welcoming our new WNBL Geelong United Head Coach, Chris Lucas.
