Latest News

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DeMarcus Gatlin: Head of Player Development
February 5th, 2026

The Lara Giants Basketball Club is proud to announce the appointment of DeMarcus Gatlin as our new Head of Player Development.

As our club continues to grow, we are committed to providing the highest quality pathways for our juniors.

In this pivotal role, DeMarcus will lead targeted, small-group skill sessions designed to build fundamentals and high-level basketball IQ. He will also head up our large-scale club clinics, ensuring that every Giant—from our youngest beginners to our more advanced representative stars—has the opportunity to learn directly from a professional. DeMarcus will also provide some mentor sessions for our junior coaching staff to assist them implementing modern, structured training sessions relevant to each age group and division.

We believe our community will benefit immensely from his professional experience, elite energy, and deep passion for the game. To further inspire our young athletes, DeMarcus will also be leading by example on the court, representing the Lara Giants Men’s Championship team a few times when his schedule allows.

DeMarcus is the current Captain of Geelong United NBL1 side, whom he has an incredible nine years of experience with, including highlights such as 2019 NBL1 South MVP, 2024 NBL1 South Defensive Player of the Year and multiple time club MVP. Demarcus is also a well respected coach and experienced in player development doing amazing work with the team at Athletiq Geelong

Please join us in welcoming DeMarcus to our Giant family. We can’t wait to see him on the floor helping the next generation of Giants reach their full potential!

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Senior Club Champion 2025
January 16th, 2026

Congratulations to Jackson Bentley on winning our 2025 Senior Club champion. This is the 6th time Jackson has won this award & is truly a champion of our club. To view past winners visit https://www.laragiants.org.au/club-awards/

Jackson also won the Geelong United Champ Mens MVP for 2025 capping off another brilliant season. Well done Jackson on an amazing year

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AGM 2025 – Committee Update
October 13th, 2025

Update from last night’s AGM

After a successful year 1, Aidan Courtney is continuing on as club president.

Luke Surtees is moving up from general committee to Vice President

Jason Aherne is continuing as secretary and likewise Dillon Butten as treasurer.

Lorraine Kulic and Jenny Plozza are staying on as part of our Executive Committee as we continue our push for the stadium.

We would also like to welcome James Box, Michael Hammond and Jacinta Box as new members of the committee.

We would also like to thank existing committee members who are serving another term Rod, Meg, Andrew, Beckie, Ally, Hanna, Hayley, Damian, Ebony and Marty. We would also like to thank Nate and Meg Ford who are stepping aside.

You can view our committee for 2025-2026 here www.laragiants.org.au/club-info/board-members/

Photo: President Aidan & Vice President Luke

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Summer Teams 2026
September 18th, 2025

We are super excited to announce our Summer teams for our upcoming Summer Season of 2025/2026. With over 85 teams yet again, it has been a massive task for our coaches & playing committee.

We know this period can be a stressful time for all players & we know there will be players who are upset & disappointed where they end up. There is many reasons taken into account when selecting teams such as team balance position the player plays, coachability, attitude. If you are unhappy & would like clarification we ask that you sleep on it & if still not happy then please put your concerns in an email. Be sure to include the players name & age group to help us find the right player. Please remember that we are heading into holidays & our coordinators may not be as responsive as normal.

Email: Boys: [email protected]

Email: Girls: [email protected]

We do have a very limited number of spaces available if you missed registration. You can enquire or register for wait list at  https://forms.gle/YQetk8BdjqqdrAtA6

Uniform Day

We will be having a uniform day on Sunday October 5th. More details to come soon

Summer 2026 Teams

Without further delay here are our Summer Teams.

Note: Teams subject to change

Junior Boys:

Junior Girls:

Mixed & Womans:

U23s & Mens:

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Junior Club Champions 2025
September 15th, 2025

Congratulations to Torin Wilson & Stephanie Tripolino on being our Junior Club Champions of 2025.

Both players have been with the club for over 10 years. Steph has now became the first 4 time winner of club Champion & writes her name in the record books. While Torin has worked hard on his game & has shown to be a great team mate & his team first attitude has saw him claim his first award.

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Presentation Day Winter 2025
September 14th, 2025

When: Sunday September 14th Where: Beckley Park

What a wonderful day our Junior Presentation day was. So many teams to get thru with lots of medals, trophies, sausages & four n twenty pies. A great day had by all. Congrats to all our winners

Programs – Mini Giants, Little Giants, Shooting Stars & Mighty Giants

U10s

U12s

U14s

U16s

U18s & U19s & Club Champions

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Summer 2026 Team Selection Trials
September 4th, 2025

Junior Team Selection Trials are this Saturday at Corio Leisuretime Sports Precinct

Please see screen shot below for rough times for age groups. Age co-ords have emailed the exact time you are needed to attend. All existing players please wear your Lara Giants singlet (with tshirt under if needed for quick change) as a big part of these sessions will be match simulation.

Also all players bring a water bottle & if they have a ball bring that too,

Please note: There is no try outs required for u8s, u10 girls & u19 girls at this stage. We will be in touch with you shortly on these matters.

If you cannot make it please respond to the email you get from the age co-ord. All players registered will get selected in the team, the try outs are to help us ensure the best suited teams are selected. All teams are selected by the club, the age co-ords & the coaches. No preselected teams are existing & therefore all players should be strongly encouraged to attend.

Most of all have fun with the day, listen to the instructions & enjoy the extra work ou

For any late registration join the wait list at https://forms.gle/wty75sPWYbWRzCvG6

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Presentation Day – Winter 2025
September 2nd, 2025

Presentation Day is booked in for SUNDAY Sept 14 at BECKLEY PARK

We have broken the timeslots into half hour blocks to help save time. With all timeslots now half hour we are asking all families to stay for their time slot & show respect for all teams. There will be a brief change over between age groups.

10:30 U10 Boys & Girls

11:00 U12 Boys

11:30 U12 Girls

12:00 U14 Boys

12:30 U14 Girls

1:00 Programs (Mini Giants, Little Giants, Shooting Stars, Mighty Giants)

1:30 U18 Boys & U19 Girls & Club Champs

2:00 U16 Boys

2:30 U16 Girls

We will have all our merch available for purchase so be sure to grab your Lara Giants essentials & prepare for summer (or if this weather continues grab a fresh hoodie)

In more good news we are bringing back the snags & thanks to Four ‘n Twenty we will be having some pies too. So be sure to come along & enjoy the day as we celebrate another wonderful season

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Registrations for Summer 2026 have closed
September 1st, 2025

Registrations for Summer are now closed. If you are now wanting to play you will need to join our waitlist at https://forms.gle/XdEaJGpdGRqYnyQB6

Players on the waitlist are not guaranteed a spot on one of our sides. Junior Team Trials are this coming Saturday Sept 6th & the team will look to get invites out soon

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Summer2026
August 17th, 2025

Summer Season is finally here & we are open for business. To register to play this summer you MUST register by August 31st to guarantee you a spot

Register Here:

Juniors: https://www.playhq.com/basketball-victoria/register/a6d3c4

Seniors: https://www.playhq.com/basketball-victoria/register/a6d3c4

Please make sure you are aware of the night changes for some age groups as well as review the fees for next season. All info about playing for Lara Giants can be found on our website www.laragiants.org.au/get-involved/play-basketball/

Junior Try Selections will be on Saturday Sept 6th.

We are on a super tight schedule to get all things ready to prepare teams.

Thanks for your assistance & Go Giants

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Upcoming Events

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