Grassroots Connections Delivering Big Results For Boomers

The burgeoning partnerships between the Deakin Melbourne Boomers and what will this season be more than 50 basketball clubs and associations is starting to deliver big results.

With 15 players now signed, including four young Development Players, the Boomers squad boasts no less than 10 players who have progressed along the Victorian Grassroots pathway.

Amazingly, as a region Gippsland is home to four Boomers, while yesterday’s announcement of 15-year old Liv Pollerd as a Development Player marks the second player from Southern Peninsula Sharks on the Boomers roster.

Pollerd joins young star Jaz Shelley (pictured), who doubles as her captain at the Rosebud-based Sharks.

For Southern Peninsula Basketball’s Coaching Director, Gerard Hillier, the focus Melbourne’s WNBL team is placing on local Victorian talent has young players dreaming of a future with the Boomers .

“To see young Victorian players being scouted and recruited by the Boomers is increasing the aspiration these young players have,” said Hillier.

“Our development pathway at Southern Peninsula has been really clear for the past six years in that we will heavily focus on promoting our youth within our senior program, giving as much exposure and experience to as many of our juniors as possible within a senior and high performance environment,” explained Hillier.

“That early development in senior ranks is, we hope, enabling young players to adapt and adjust to the rigours of senior basketball quicker.”

Jaz Shelley, who is also about to enter her first season with the Boomers, is the 18-year old captain of the Sharks and in turn is leading a group filled with players younger than her. It’s a formula that Coach Hillier believes is delivering lots of positive benefits.

“It’s a tough juggling act at times, playing so many juniors and still remaining competitive and winning some games, but it has been a really refreshing and energising for our program.”

“Jaz is a natural leader and has excelled in her role as captain of the team,” said Hillier.

“To now have two players from our State Champ Women’s program on a WNBL roster is really pleasing, we’re really excited for both players to see further development and growth under the guidance of Coach Molloy and his program, and it is also reassuring that what we’re doing as a program is working.”

To join Jaz Shelley and Liv Pollerd in the Boomers family, become a member today. To find out more about all Boomers memberships, click HERE.