2020 - Year in Review

2020 was an immense challenge for everyone in Victoria, including sporting clubs and their supporters.

But that didn’t stop South East Melbourne Phoenix and their beloved Heartland community achieving amazing things together from their homes.

Signings were made on and off the court, members and fans got involved in virtual initiatives, money was raised for causes close to the community, and most importantly, everyone got through it together.

Here’s a list of highlights (since the conclusion of NBL20) from a year where each one was to be truly appreciated.

In the community:

• July holiday basketball camps (sold out)
• Online training series with Kyle Adnam ‘Train With Us’ over 1000 budding hoopers at their homes
• Virtual clinics connected with schools and associations through lockdown
• Players called and connected with over 1000 members
• Phoenix basketballs were celivered to families in the South East
• ‘Help the Heartland’ a social media campaign bought the Phoenix family together to help local business in the South East who needed a boost during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic
• We raised money for charity partners by participating in Starlight's Stream Raiser event which saw Mitch Creek, Adam Gibson, Kyle Adnam and Dane Pineau raise $2,252, while the team’s Starlight Sugar Free Me campaign raised $2,136 with participating front office staff giving up sugar for the month of November
• In lieu of face to face camps during lockdown, the club launched the ‘Phoenix Festival’, which included NBA and Birdman trivia competitions, virtual clinics, podcasts with players, and a Strava fitness group
• The clud connected with Phoenix fans on social over 2 million times.

On the court:

• Signed fresh faces in Keifer Sykes, Ben Moore, Yanni Wetzell, Cam Gliddon, and Reuben Te Rangi
• Re-signed Dane Pineau
• Re-signed Kendall Stephens
• Mitch Creek recommitted to the club through the opt-out period
• Elevated Luke Kendall to Assistant Coach
• Elevated Kyle Adnam to co-captaincy status alongside Mitch Creek and Adam Gibson

Off the court:

• Signed three new sponsors in Ashfords, Solos, and Coverforce
• Secured Goat Very Enjoyable Beer as premier partner
• Launched online webinar series ‘Fireside Chats’ which featured the likes of NBA player Dante Exum and NBL Owner Larry Kestelman
• NBA superstar John Wall joined the Phoenix ownership group

Phoenix Media