Perth Lynx
| Perth Lynx | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leagues | WNBL |
| Founded | 1988 |
| History |
Perth Breakers 1988–2001 Perth Lynx 2001–2010; 2015–present West Coast Waves 2010–2015 |
| Arena | WA Basketball Centre, Perth, Western Australia |
| Team colors |
Black and red |
| President |
 Dr. Jack Bendat |
| Head coach |
Andy Stewert |
| Ownership |
Dr. Jack Bendat |
| Championships | 1 (1992) |
| Website | PerthLynx.com |
The Perth Lynx are an Australian women's professional basketball team in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). Based in Perth, Western Australia, the Lynx are the only team representing Western Australia in the WNBL.[1] The club was owned by Basketball Western Australia from 2001 to 2015 until Perth Wildcats chairman and owner Dr. Jack Bendat purchased the license of the team in April 2015.[2][3]
History
Perth Breakers (1988–2001)
Originally formed as the Perth Breakers in 1988, the team was headed by super coach Tom Maher and were successful for many years under that moniker. The Breakers appeared in the WNBL finals from 1991 to 1996, winning a championship in 1992. Australian basketball legends such as Robyn Maher, Tully Bevilaqua and Michele Timms played for the Breakers during this period. After missing the finals in 1997, the Breakers appeared in three more finals campaigns over the next three years.
Perth Lynx (2001–2010)
After a change of ownership in 2001, the Breakers were re-branded as the Perth Lynx. In the years up until 2010, the team did not see much success. Many years of mediocre performances towards the bottom of the ladder, which included setting a WNBL record for the longest ever losing streak, led the team to re-evaluate its operations. Regardless of the team's lack of on-court success, the Lynx were able to lure some star players to the program including Carly Wilson, Shelley Hammonds, Samantha Richards, Rohanee Cox and Deanna Smith.
West Coast Waves (2010–2015)
In 2010, David Herbert was appointed as head coach of the newly dubbed West Coast Waves. The administration of the program was largely focused on rebranding and developing the program in the off-season and the result was a new team name, uniforms and team colours in time for the 2010–11 WNBL season. Following the appointment of Herbert, home-grown player Tully Bevilaqua was also signed for the 2010–11 season. The 2010–11 season saw the team finish with a win/loss record of 8-14, its most successful season in over a decade.
In February 2012, it was announced that Kennedy Kereama had been appointed the coach of the West Coast Waves for a period of two years.[4] Kereama assembled a new look Waves line-up, bringing in interstate recruits Deanna Smith, Amelia Todhunter and Hayley Moffat as well as New Zealand representatives Lisa Wallbutton and Antonia Edmondson. Locals Natalie Burton and Darcee Garbin were also recruited to the team, joining returning players Melissa Marsh, Shani Amos, Kaye Tucker and Zoe Harper in the West Coast line-up. Despite its strongest recruiting effort in more than a decade, the 2012–13 season saw the Waves win only four games in Kereama's debut season as a WNBL head coach.
New ownership (2015)
On 16 April 2015, Perth Wildcats chairman and owner Dr. Jack Bendat and his family purchased the license of Western Australia's Women's National Basketball League franchise. The team was subsequently re-named the Perth Lynx in order to operate under Perth Wildcats management.[2] Three days later, former Perth Wildcats assistant coach Andy Stewart was named the head coach of the Lynx for the 2015–16 season.[5]
Current roster
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References
- ↑ "History of the WNBL". WNBL.com.au. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Perth Wildcats purchase WNBL license". NBL.com.au. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
- ↑ Rynne, Nick (16 April 2015). "Wildcats creating waves with Lynx". Yahoo.com. The West Australian. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
- ↑ "NZ women's coach Kennedy Keream takes charge of West Coast Waves". PerthNow.com.au. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
- ↑ "Andy Stewart named Perth Lynx Head Coach". Wildcats.com.au (NBL.com.au). 19 April 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
External links
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