Gippsland United has done it! Our men’s team are Big V Division 1 Champions after defeating Warrandyte 99-90 in a thrilling Grand Final at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium, Traralgon — in front of a near sell-out home crowd.

After last year’s heartbreaking loss in the decider, United came back hungrier than ever, producing a complete team performance to secure promotion to the Big V Championship Division — Victoria’s top-tier basketball competition outside of NBL1 — for the first time since 2009.

Grand Final MVP Jalin Wimberly led the charge with 18 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals, backed by Joel Winderlich’s 21 points, Kody Tibballs’ 15 points off the bench, and six players scoring in double figures.

Coach Scott McKenzie praised the team’s resilience and growth, highlighting that eight players from United’s 2022 Division 2 title are still part of the squad — making this victory the result of years of hard work and belief.

For the first time in 17 years, Gippsland United will return to the Championship Division next season, cementing our place among the state’s elite.