AGM Update 2024
We have some changes to report from this weeks AGM.
After 8 years as president Jason Aherne is stepping down from the role. In Jason’s presidency we have seen the club numbers double in size & the introduction of our programs starting with Little Giants & growing to include Mini Giants, Shooting Stars & our All Abilities Program the Mighty Giants. Jason is stepping into the secretary role & will be part of our exec committee working closely with Aidan & co.
Aidan Courtney has been appointed as our new President. Aidan started coaching for Lara Giants in 2018. He joined the committee in 2019 & age group co-ordinator and eventually Boys Co-Ordinator. He has been a pivotal player in our committee & the direction of our club & is looking forward to helping the club to continue to move forward both on & off the court.
Jenny Plozza is stepping up from secretary to Vice President. Anyone that knows Jenny, knows how important she is to the club & is everywhere & across all things Lara Giants. Her passion for the club & the players is massive & will be amazing in the job. Jenny takes over from the wonderful Lorraine Kulic who is staying on as Executive Assistant & will continue to work as part of the exec committee & continue to help our fight for a stadium & options for the North.
Dillon Butten is staying on as treasurer. The committee also welcomes Damian, Andrew, Ebony & Nate onto the general committee. The full committee can be viewed here www.laragiants.org.au/club-info/board-members/
Picture: President Aidan Courtney (center), Vice President Jenny Plozza (right) & Secretary Jason Aherne (left)
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2024
The Lara Giants wish to advise that the 2024 AGM will be held on Sunday October 27 at 7pm at the Bisinella Centre on Buckingham St Lara.
All positions will be vacated & a new committee will be elected. All members (including parents of junior members) are invited to attend.
We are always looking for new members to join the committee & to help move us forward. If you are passionate about the club or keen to get involved we would love to see you. This includes our senior players who we would love to see more involved in our committee to be the voice for their group.
Any questions contact club president Jason Aherne at [email protected]
Summer Teams 2025
We are super excited to announce our Junior Summer teams for our upcoming Summer Season 2025. Senior teams will be announced next weekend.
With 500 junior players registered for juniors & 65 teams it has been a massive task for our coaches & playing committee. Around 20 hours of try outs & lots of sweat & skill on display made it an incredibly hard task. We thank all families who made the effort to come to try outs & gave it their best shot.
We know this period is an incredibly 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, attendance to training & try outs. 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 in some age groups only. If you missed registration you can enquire or register for wait list at https://forms.gle/BHufw6YhJsEeyywcA
We will be having a uniform day on Sunday October 6 from 2pm. Any new players or players needing a uniform must reserve a time slot for their uniform fitting & purchase. Please remember sizes may not match other clothing so please bring your child with you. If you have multiple children you only need to book 1 time slot for all to come. Book Here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1293372
Without further delay here are our Summer Teams….
Junior Boys
Junior Girls
Senior Teams
Winter 2024 Presentation Day
Programs – Mini Giants, Little Giants, Shooting Stars & Mighty Giants
U10 Boys & Girls
U12 Boys & Girls
U14 Boys & Girls
U16 Boys & Girls
U18 Boys & U19 girls
Junior Club Champions 2024
Congrats to our junior club champions of 2024 Steph & Dan
Daniel Anderson
Danie Anderson plays in our u18 Champ boys team where he also won MVP. He also represents Geelong playing in Geelong United’s second team as a bottom age player. This season Dan averaged 11 points per game & probably got as many rebounds. He is a hard working team first player who is well respected by his team & coaches who have coached him over the journey. With another season in U18s Dan is sure to be a key player in next season & one to watch in our future pathways into Champ mens squad.
Well Done Dan on this great achievement
Stephanie Tripolino
Steph today made history for the Lara Giants winning her THIRD junior club champion & becoming the first junior to reach such honors. Steph plays in our u19 Champ side & our Div 2 womans side along with Geelong United U18-2 girls side. What more can be said about the amazing Steph, she is a hard working, well respected & a true pleasure to have on any team. She works hard at both ends of the court & we are super proud of the wonderful player she is. Well done Steph
To view past winners visit https://www.laragiants.org.au/club-awards/
Summer2025
Summer Season is finally here & we are open for business. To register to play this summer you MUST register by Sunday Sept 1 to guarantee you a spot
Register Here:
Juniors: www.playhq.com/basketball-victoria/register/299175
Seniors: www.playhq.com/basketball-victoria/register/79e19a
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 Sept 7th & 8th. Details soon with plans for u12s & u14s on the Sunday all other groups on Saturday
We are on a super tight schedule to get all things ready to prepare teams.
Thanks for your assistance & Go Giants
Come & Try Day – 31st Aug 2024
Do you have a child looking to come & try basketball before signing up to play. Or perhaps you currently play & want to bring a friend & get a few extra tips. We are doing a couple of Come & Try sessions designed to be a bit of fun with our experience coaches. We will also be able to answer all your questions about what is involved in playing from nights of the week to costs.
If this sounds like fun we look forward to meeting you on Saturday August 31st with two 45 minute sessions. We are asking you to register to ensure we can control numbers
Sat Aug 31 at Lara Primary – Boys & Girls welcome
10am players born 2012-2015
11am players born 2016-2018
To help ensure best coach to player ratios we are asking families to register interest at https://forms.gle/GoyFNdYcVeXt4Ae1A
Looking forward to seeing you all there to join in our fun
Girls Only – Tuesday Aug 20 & 27th at Lara Lake Primary
4:15pm for players born 2013 to 2017
Presentation Day Winter 2024
The Winter Presentation Day starts at 10am on Sunday September 15 at the wonderful Beckley Park function room which was a great venue last summer presentation day.
Each age group has been allocated a time slot to help reduce your time waiting for your team. We will work thru the age groups thru the day. All programs & under 10s get medals other teams get two trophy winners. We will also be awarding Club Champions & 5 & 10 year player awards.
Times for each age group
– 10am Programs – Mini, Giants, Little Giants, Shooting Stars, Mighty Giants
– 10:30 Under 10 boys & girls
– 11am U16, U18, U19 & Club Champs & 5 & 10 year awards
– 12pm Under 12 boys & girls
– 1pm Under 14 boys & girls
See you there for our big day with special treats for all players, medals for all programs & under 10s & 2 major trophy winners for all u12s to u19 teams.
Giants Hoop City Clinic June 30
Free Lara Giants Hoop City Clinic on Sunday June 30 from 10:30am for all current Lara Giants players who are playing in our u12 or u14 teams.
Featuring Geelong NBL1 Players Demarcus Gatlin & Seth Garcia
Registrations Required & spaces are very limited. Register here https://forms.gle/EtpEfAyuyHh49Dvi7
Summer 2024 Presentation Day
U10s
U12s
U14s
U16s
U18s & U19s
Crowd & 10 Year Player
Upcoming Events
Oct
The Lara Giants wish to advise that the 2024 AGM will be held on Sunday October 27 at 7pm at the Bisinella Centre on Buckingham St Lara. All positions will be vacated & a new committee will be elected. All members (including parents of junior members) are invited to attend. We are always looking for new […]
Oct
Lara Giants Austin Lara Uniform day on Sunday October 6th at Beckley Park from 2pm.All new players or those needing a bigger size need to reserve a time to try on & collect your uniform in preparation for our upcoming summer seasonBook: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1293372
Sep
The day starts at 10am on Sunday September 15 at the wonderful Beckley Park function room which was a great venue last summer presentation day. Times for each age group– 10am Programs – Mini, Giants, Little Giants, Shooting Stars, Mighty Giants– 10:30 Under 10 boys & girls– 11am U16, U18, U19 & Club Champs & […]
Jun
Free Hoop City Clinic for our U12 & U14 players. Register here https://forms.gle/EtpEfAyuyHh49Dvi7
Apr
Uniform Day is today at Lara Community Centre on Waverly Road Lara between 4pm to 6pm If you are a new player or needing a new Austin Lara uniform you can come along & collect your uniform today. First games are this week so make sure you are ready. To help ensure speedy service for […]
Mar
Sunday March 24 – Details TBC
Feb
Free Clinic for all in our community. More info www.laragiants.org.au/giantclinic24/
Jul
Sunday August 27 Lara Primary School 1pm U10s, 2pm U12s 3pm Programs – Shooting Starts, Little Giants, Mighty Giants & Pipsqueaks 3:30pm U14s, 4:30pm U16s, u18s & u19s
Jun
Join us for a fun night of Trivia…. But with a twist. There will be a strong emphasis on TV, Movies, Sport & Music as well as other crazy fun games & activities for all to enjoy
Jun
The Lara Giants are off to watch the NBL1 action with the Geelong United Supercats on Saturday June 3rd at the Geelong Arena. More info Lara Giants – Geelong Supercats Club Night