Melbourne United Member Stories

Members are without a doubt the lifeblood of every NBL club. Without members, NBL clubs simply could not take to the court each week and compete for the Championship.

Whilst we take pride in sharing why being a member is great, we want you to hear it from the members themselves. We believe hearing from those who have experienced being a Melbourne United Member first-hand can mean more than hearing it from the club’s marketing team.

Therefore, we asked a selection of our members to tell you why they love being part of the Melbourne United family.

So, with that said, we want to introduce to you The Stewarts (Rob & Cheryl), The McLauchlans, The Flynns & The McGoldricks (Donna and Dean).

The Flynns, The McLauchlans and Donna McGoldrick

Each of these families have been members for varying amounts of time. They each sit in different locations around John Cain Arena, and all have different reasons for loving our club.

Rob and Cheryl Stewart have been part of the Melbourne United family since day one of the club’s re-brand. As Foundation Members, they have held on to the same Premium seats since the 2014-15 season.

And although the on-going pandemic has altered the way in which members have been able to experience a Melbourne United home game, the Stewart’s favourite part of a home game has always been the atmosphere. An answer that was common among each of the families.

The McLauchlans shared that for them the atmosphere always comes down to the competitiveness of each game. No matter the opponent, United always take to the court with one goal, to win.

Coupled with the energy provided by our courtside announcer, Wayne ‘The Voice’ Peterson, and the exciting prospect of free Roll’d Soldiers or Hungry Jack’s burgers, there is never a dull moment from tip off to the final buzzer.

For the McGoldrick’s coming to a Melbourne United home game means catching up with some of their favourite people.

In their 7 years as members and now courtside seat holders, the people that attend games in the seats surrounding them have become like family and coming to home games is a time when they get to be together to “coach” the boys from the sidelines and debrief after each game. 

Donna also shared that beyond the people, her favourite part of our games, is the players. No other sport she has supported or experienced has provided the same access to the team that United does.

Donna and Dean have travelled interstate with the team on many occasions, enjoyed a dinner with the players following a game in Sydney, and sat with David Barlow and Chris Goulding, chatting about the game they all love.

Dean and Donna out for dinner in Sydney with David Barlow and Chris Goulding. 

Each family shared with us who their favourite player was and by no surprise our captain Chris Goulding was the clear favourite.

When asked why Chris stood out to so many of them Donna summed it up perfectly.

Chris’ passion for the game and for his club is unparalleled. The way he conducts himself both on and off the court, the way he understands his fans and entertains them is special.

He does things for his fans when he thinks no one is watching. But Donna said, she sees him.

The McLauchlans with Chris Goulding

Chris’ recent accolade of winning an Olympic Bronze medal was also mentioned many times, with the families expressing how proud they are of him and his achievements, and in hand feeling a sense of pride and comradery that he belongs to the same club that they do.

For a family like the McLauchlans and the Flynns being members means more than just attending home games.

The junior member super clinics have been some of their favourite moments in a season. The chance to be up close and personal with the kids’ favourite players and coaches for an afternoon was remarked as a “huge highlight of their year”.

An afternoon at a Melbourne United junior member superclinic with Head Coach Dean Vickerman

These events, alongside the opportunity to meet the players at post-game functions have been what has made this family feel part of the United family and for the McLauchlans seeing their children grow up as United fans, season to season, has been something that has meant so much to them to be able to do as a unit. Their team, a part our team.

While the atmosphere and the connectivity to the team are what keep these families coming back to United home games, the moments that stick with them are the big wins. The Championships.

The Flynns have been members for five years now and in that time, have witnessed the 2018 and 2021 games in Adelaide and Melbourne that saw us battle our way to our two NBL Championships.

The 2017-18 Championship trophy

Championships are the goal. Championships are the big moments. NBL21 was a season to remember for these families and NBL22 will be a season where becoming back-to-back champs is the new goal.

So, as we near closer to NBL22, and reach out to you, our audience and ask you to join us, we want to leave you with one final thought shared with us by Donna McGoldrick;

Our city has been through so much. And basketball is just a game. But basketball has helped us to get through it together.

The inclusivity during the tough times, topped off with the winning, those moments are what families like the McGoldricks, the Flynns, the Stewarts and the McLauchlans look back on and remember as their favourite moments in their years as United members.

We hope that your family or your friends will join us for the 2021-22 season as we chase that third NBL Championship and more of those big moments together, United.

IT’S TIME TO UNITE.

Become a Melbourne United member today.