Phoenix Smash Membership Record

The South East Melbourne Phoenix has set a new record for membership, smashing their previous record.

In just their third season the Phoenix has become an integral part of the community of South East Melbourne.

Making the finals in just their second season, signing Zhou Qi the biggest name in Chinese basketball and continuing to engage with the community during Victoria’s 6th lockdown are all factors in the club's astonishing growth.

“We set an ambitious target for our membership this season, especially coming off last season which was greatly affected by Covid-19,” South East Melbourne Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer said. “The faith the people of the Heartland have shown in us by jumping on board for year three is enormous. To be setting records at this point of the offseason is a fantastic achievement.”

The Phoenix, and Australian basketball, are riding a wave of popularity right now. A bronze medal at the Olympics, and a new free-to-air broadcast deal for the NBL has catapulted basketball into the upper echelons of the Australian sporting conversation.

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The Phoenix, who have already sold-out Row A of their new courtside membership category, signed exciting import Xavier Munford, recruited Zhou Qi, and held onto NBA calibre talent Ryan Broekhoff are poised to take advantage of that growth.

“Basketball and the NBL are about to enter an exciting phase in Australia, the time to buy a membership and become part of the fastest growing club in the fastest growing sport in Australia is now,” Greer said.

In year two the Phoenix faced several hurdles, being moved interstate twice to avoid Covid lockdowns, had home games cancelled and played their first finals series at a neutral venue in Sydney.

Despite all those challenges the team continued to perform and were one quarter away from making the Grand Final series.

“Through all the trials of last season the team’s belief did not waver and neither did the belief of our members and fans,” Greer said. “We are focussed on repaying them this year for their continued commitment to what we are trying to build, a successful club on and off the court that they can feel part of.”

In just their third year the Phoenix will have well over 3000 members, having already hit that number.

“It’s been an extraordinarily busy time for the team on and off the court, and we can’t wait to get back to playing in front of the league’s best fans in the Fire Pit,” Greer said.

The support of fans has been echoed by the support from sponsors with Anderson Homes and Hart Sports joining the clubs growing list of sponsors.

“Almost all our sponsors from last season are back with many new partners joining the club for the first time this season, which shows they too are committed,” Greer said.

Phoenix Media (13/10/2021)