Jayden Geary jumped at the opportunity to step into the coaching role for Bacchus Marsh’s Country Basketball League men’s team.
Geary joined the Lions last year in a director of coaching role and is excited about what is happening across the whole club.
Stepping into the senior program was something he had been keen to do.
“The club spoke to me about stepping into the role and continuing to lead the program forward,” he said.
“I’m excited to get into the senior program. I’ve always wanted to put my hand up for senior basketball.”
Geary said he had been involved in Big V youth league men and men’s program at Bullen previously before coming across to Bacchus Marsh.
He said he was excited to get started.
“It’s been a long journey and I’ve been doing VJBL [Victorian Junior Basketball League] for 10 years..
“I then stepped into the director of coaching role helping develop coaches for the junior program.
“It’s all been part of the journey and it’s been a wild ride so far.”
Geary takes on a side that made the semi finals last season and finished second after the regular season.
The new coach is keen to build on that.
“We’ve got some players returning and some youth going to step up,” he said.
“Our under-20s made the grand final this week on Sunday and there’s a bunch of boys ready to step up into the program.
“We have a couple of players coming out of Big V, who live in the regional area and are ready to come across.”
Geary said with record numbers at tryouts it was a bit daunting, but it was exciting to see so many players wanting to come play for him.
Owen Stephens, who played with the Whittlesea Pacers in the Big V this season, and Majok Maniel, who played for Altona Gators in the Big V, are two of the bigger names to come across to the Lions.
While focused on trying to finally bring the title to the Lions for the first time, Geary also has one eye on the future with the club announcing it wants to have Big V sides from 2027.
