A Message from the CEO

Dear Phoenix family,

2020 continues to present us as a club and the wider community with an unprecedented number of challenges.

We know the Heartland is hurting and we hurt with you.

My thoughts have been and will continue to be with you all as we take on the challenge that COVID-19 has placed in front of us.

In our first year, we wanted our team to resemble the Heartland; hard-nosed, persistent, hard-working. No matter how many times we get knocked down, we get back up, that is us, and that is you.

We all need to rely on these qualities now more than ever.

The last fortnight has been an important and timely reminder of how serious we need to take this pandemic as a community.

First and foremost, our best wishes are with our friends at Melbourne United who are currently dealing with what must be an extremely difficult time for everyone involved at the club. We hope for a swift recovery for all and can’t wait to battle it out again when the NBL21 season tips off.

Following the news of positive tests at United, our contracted players and staff immediately went into self-isolation and underwent multiple tests.

It was terrific news and a testament to our players, staff, and the strict protocols we have in place that all of those players and staff returned negative results. 

By the same token, it was a brutal reminder of how quickly this virus can spread and how vital it is for everyone in Victoria to keep doing the right thing.

We’re relieved and happy to be returning to training later this week with our thorough processes still in place.

Our players are also filming short training videos at home to give our fans some skill activities to keep active and work on their game while in lockdown, so keep an eye out on our socials!

We know the Heartland is hurting, but over our brief history, we have witnessed the strength of this community first-hand and know this challenge won't define us, it is how we overcome it that will be the defining factor.

Over the tougher stretches of our inaugural season, it was the Phoenix family in the crowd and around South East Melbourne who lifted us and gave us the energy to go again.

This time we’re all on the court together.

By continuing to all do the right things and following the advice of the experts, the Heartland will roar once again.

Let’s keep showing that HEARTLAND spirit.

Take care, and look after each other.

Tommy Greer

CEO

South East Melbourne Phoenix

(11/8/2020)