Geelong United Basketball (GUB) is pleased to announce the next player signing for our inaugural WNBL season, Keely Froling.
The 6 foot 2 forward started her WNBL journey in 2011 in her hometown of Townsville, and will join us after another run with the Australian Women’s National Team, The Opals with whom she has recently flown to Japan with to compete ahead of this years Olympics in Paris.
Whilst exciting times lie ahead for Keely on the world stage, she’s also just as excited to be a part of Geelong United’s maiden WNBL side – “It’s special I think to be a part of that first side,” Keely said. “Obviously I enjoyed my time in Melbourne last year with Chris (Lucas), and I think we’ll recruit some really good players and good people.”
Head Coach Chris Lucas was a key factor in Keely’s decision to sign on with the team, as he’s someone who has been part of her WNBL career for a many years – “I played under Chris last year in Melbourne and many years ago in Townsville. I think we have a great relationship and I work well under him, so I’m excited to have another season with Chris and hopefully win a championship for Geelong.”
Chris shares Keely’s excitement, and is extremely happy that she’s signed on to work with him again – “I’m really pleased to have Keely on board. Signing her was a no brainer – She was the first player I contacted. The standards of the program need to be set in the first year and she will lead by example with the bar she sets for herself and her teammates. It really puts us in a great position for our first year.”
Speaking on being part of that first year of a brand new WNBL team, Keely is looking forward to the prospect of starting from scratch – “We now get to establish those really good core values early,” she said. “It’s about building a really great franchise that is known as one of the best in Australia, we do everything right, we play hard and showcase great basketball.”
It’s not just about the on court side of things though for Keely, who also looks to build a connection with the community everywhere she plays – “I want to be a massive part of the community, and have us be role models for kids coming up through Geelong United Basketball. Regional teams for me have always been the most special ones that I’ve played for because you do have that connection with the community. I’ve been to Geelong a few times and always appreciated the NBL1 teams and their support, and the lifestyle there in summer, I’m really looking forward to that.”
Please join us in welcoming our newest addition to our WNBL roster, Keely Froling.
