Jenny Plozza – Life Member

---

The Lara Giants are thrilled to announce that Jenny Plozza has been awarded with Life Membership for her continued hard work & dedication to the club.

Jenny first joined our committee in 2016 & the following year she became club secretary where she served for 7 years before moving on to Vice President last year. This year Jenny continues to serve on the exec committee. Also during this time Jenny has played multiple other roles including merchandise, age coordinator & Girls coordinator where she continues to work work hard.

Anyone that knows Jenny knows she is a passionate, caring & dedicated person who loves the club deeply, especially our juniors. Like in a game of basketball, Jenny is the perfect team mate. Not always front & center getting all the attention. She is often behind the scenes making everyone look good & doing all the small things that we all love in a dedicated team person.

Put simply Jenny is an amazing club person & whenever the club needed to get something done or moving forward we could always rely on Jenny to take charge & put in the hard yards. Jenny is always there for uniform days, club try outs & especially presentation days where she spends many hours every season sticking stickers on medals & ensuring that every presentation day is special for the kids.

Thank you Jenny for all your hard work & dedication to our club. Your efforts are now fully recognised by bestowing this honor on you.

Congratulations…. Life member #7 for the Lara Giants. Jenny Plozza

www.laragiants.org.au/lifemembers_serviceawards/

---

Major Sponsor Update

---

Lara Giants Basketball Club are thrilled to announce Community Bank Lara District as our new major sponsor.

Starting this summer, our teams will hit the court in new uniforms proudly featuring the Community Bank Lara District logo – a proud symbol of our partnership.

This collaboration signifies the ongoing commitment of a long-time supporter. Community Bank Lara District was the first-ever sponsor to feature on our playing uniforms and has backed our basketball clinics from the beginning. While our jersey design has evolved since their logo last appeared, the bank’s dedication to the club and the local community remains as strong as ever.

This sponsorship is about more than a fresh look – it’s a true partnership built on shared passion for basketball, community spirit, and a vision for continued growth.

We’re grateful to have Community Bank Lara District on board and look forward to great success together on and off the court.

Please join us in thanking the Community Bank Lara District for their ongoing investment in our club and community. 

---

Winter Teams 2026

---

We are super excited to announce our Winter teams for our upcoming Winter Season 2026. With over 80 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

Without further delay here are our Winter Teams

Junior Boys:

Junior Girls

Senior Teams

---

Winter 2026 Waitlist

---

Registrations for Winter have been closed while we work on the teams. If you would like to play enter your details on our waitlist here and we will see how numbers are looking if we can fit you in. Teams will be announced after the Easter break on Tuesday April 7

---

Winter 2026

---

Registrations are now open for Winter season 2026. For more details on playing including costs & days of play: www.laragiants.org.au/get-involved/play-basketball/

To register www.playhq.com/basketball-victoria/register/fff110

Please see the important dates to ensure you don’t miss out on your chance to play with the Giants this winter. Registrations close March 20th to allow time for coaches & committee to select sides & possibly do try outs for new players.

Due to quick turn around we will announce the teams after the Easter break. All players who register before then will be selected in teams or contacted prior to uniform day March 29.

Any questions reach out to us here or email [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected]

Registrations is open for all skill levels, new players or returning. All Abilities players will be sent a different link to register in coming weeks.

Those doing our pathway programs & thinking oof playing have a chat to your coach & get their feedback. Registration for programs will come after March 20.

---

DeMarcus Gatlin: Head of Player Development

---

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!

---

Senior Club Champion 2025

---

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

---

AGM 2025 – Committee Update

---

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

---

Summer Teams 2026

---

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:

---

Junior Club Champions 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.

---

Upcoming Events

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---