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Perth Lynx

The Perth Lynx are an Australian professional basketball team based in Perth, Western Australia. The Lynx compete in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) and play their home games at Bendat Basketball Centre. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as the Northern Star Resources Perth Lynx.

The Lynx were established in 1988 as the Perth Breakers. After being owned and operated by Basketball Western Australia from 2001 to 2015, the Perth Wildcats took over ownership and operation of the team for a period of five years. In 2020, the licence was transferred back to Basketball Western Australia. In 2024, the licence was transferred to a new holder, Perth Lynx Pty Ltd, which is owned by Perth business couple Christian Hauff and Jodi Millhahn. The Lynx have reached six WNBL Grand Finals, winning their only championship in 1992.

History

WAIS Rockets (1986–1987)

In 1986, a Perth women's basketball team known as the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) Rockets entered the Women's Basketball Conference (WBC), a second-tier national league under the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL).[1][2] The state was told the only way they would be admitted to the WNBL was if the WAIS Rockets won the 1987 WBC title. The Rockets played all of their games away from home including finals, beating the Forestville Eagles in overtime to advance to the grand final, where they won the title 56–47 against the Knox Raiders.[3] The team featured Tanya Fisher and Cheryl Kickett-Tucker.[3]

Perth Breakers (1988–2001)

The franchise debuted in the WNBL in 1988 as the Perth Breakers. After withdrawing midway through their second season in 1989,[4][5] the Breakers returned to action in 1990.[6] The team appeared in the WNBL finals every year between 1991 and 2000 except 1997, making grand final appearances in 1992, 1993 and 1999.[6]

In the 1992 season, the Breakers won the WNBL championship behind captain Michele Timms and coach Tom Maher, along with Robyn Maher,[7] Tanya Fisher, Natasha Bargeus, Lisa MacLean, Marynne Briggs and Marianna Vlahov.[8]

Basketball WA's first ownership stint (2001–2015)

In 2001, the franchise came under the ownership of Basketball Western Australia.[9] The team name was subsequently changed to Perth Lynx and remained as such until 2010.[9]

After finishing last on the ladder in the 2009–10 WNBL season with a 2–20 record, the team was rebranded as the West Coast Waves for the 2010–11 WNBL season. The change symbolised the reinvigoration of the Basketball WA program under experienced head coach David Herbert and home-grown legend Tully Bevilaqua, and gave a nod to the team's history with the reintroduction of the black, green and gold colours. The Waves also debuted at the newly opened WA Basketball Centre.[10][11][12]

In 14 seasons under Basketball WA, the team failed to make a finals appearance.[6]

Perth Wildcats management (2015–2020)

In April 2015, the team's licence was purchased by the Perth Wildcats and their chairman and owner Jack Bendat. The Wildcats subsequently brought back the Perth Lynx brand name and red colour.[9][13][14]

In the 2015–16 season, the Lynx qualified for the finals for the first time since 2000.[15] They went on to reach the grand final, their first since 1999,[16] where they lost 2–0 to the Townsville Fire.[17][18]

In the 2017–18 season, the Lynx won 14 consecutive games throughout the season and finished on top of the ladder, before losing four matches in a row after enduring seven flights in eight days. They lost to Canberra and Townsville in the final weekend of the regular season and were then swept 2–0 by fourth-placed Melbourne in the semi-finals.[19][20]

In March 2018, the licence agreement with the Wildcats was extended.[21]

Basketball WA's second ownership stint (2020–2024)

Perth Lynx banners at Bendat Basketball Centre, November 2023

In March 2020, the Perth Lynx's WNBL licence was transferred back to Basketball WA.[22][23]

In the 2021–22 season, the Lynx finished in second place with an 11–5 record and reached the grand final,[24][25][26][27] where they lost the series 2–1 to the Melbourne Boomers despite winning game one in Melbourne.[28]

In the 2023–24 season, the Lynx finished in fourth place with an 11–10 record and defeated the first-placed Townsville Fire in the semi-finals to reach their second grand final series in three years.[29][30][31] The Lynx won 101–79 in game one of the grand final series against the Southside Flyers. They became only the second team to ever score 100 points in a WNBL grand final and finished the game with 22 three-pointers.[32][33][34] They went on to finish runners-up after losing game two 97–95[35][36] and game three 115–81.[37][38][39]

New ownership (2024–present)

In May 2024, Perth business couple Christian Hauff and Jodi Millhahn were revealed as the front runners to take over ownership of the Perth Lynx from Basketball WA.[40][41][42] On 13 June 2024, the Lynx's WNBL licence was transferred to Perth Lynx Pty Ltd, owned by Hauff and Millhahn, with management and operational support from Sports Entertainment Group's sporting teams business, SEN Teams.[43][44][45] The move re-aligned the Lynx with the Perth Wildcats through SEN Teams.[46]

Season-by-season records

Source: Year By Year

Players

Current roster

Notable former players

Honour roll

The Lynx's retired numbers and championship banner, on display at Bendat Basketball Centre in January 2018

Source: Perth Lynx Achievements

References

  1. ^ "FLASHBACK 99a: NWBL, WBC 1986". botinagy.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024.
  2. ^ "History of the WNBL". WNBL. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b O'Donoghue, Craig (24 March 2022). "Perth Lynx overcame a tough WNBL season but their finals campaign can be built on WAIS Rockets heritage". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b "FLASHBACK 119: April 30, 1989 & May 1, 1987". botinagy.com. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  5. ^ a b "2014–15 WNBL Media Guide" (PDF). wnbl.com.au. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 December 2014.
  6. ^ a b c "YEAR BY YEAR". wnbl.basketball/perth. Archived from the original on 25 September 2019.
  7. ^ "ROBYN MAHER ON HER INCREDIBLE CAREER". wnbl.basketball. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  8. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (12 March 2024). "Melissa Sinfield and Melissa Marsh hope a Perth Lynx championship will secure the club's financial future". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024.
  9. ^ a b c "Perth Wildcats purchase WNBL license". NBL.com.au. 16 April 2015. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  10. ^ Sapienza, Joseph (6 August 2010). "Perth basketball team to ride the Waves". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  11. ^ Foreman, Glen (6 August 2010). "Basketball WA announces rebranding of Lynx to West Coast Waves". PerthNow.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  12. ^ Hope, Shayne (16 August 2010). "Waves to tip-off WNBL season at home". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Introducing the Perth Lynx". Wildcats.com.au. 16 April 2015. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  14. ^ Rynne, Nick (16 April 2015). "Wildcats creating waves with Lynx". Yahoo.com. The West Australian. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  15. ^ Robinson, Chris (27 February 2016). "Perth Lynx coach Andy Stewart confident his side can match it with ladder-leading Townsville Fire". PerthNow.com. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  16. ^ "LYNX SMASH FIRE, QUALIFY FOR GRAND FINAL". PerthLynx.com. 28 February 2016. Archived from the original on 28 February 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  17. ^ "LYNX DEFEATED BY TOWNSVILLE IN GRAND FINAL GAME 1". PerthLynx.com. 12 March 2016. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  18. ^ "Perth Lynx defeated in WNBL Grand Final". PerthLynx.com. 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  19. ^ "CLINICAL LYNX CLINCH FIRST PLACE". PerthLynx.com. 23 December 2017. Archived from the original on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  20. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (6 January 2018). "Perth Lynx call for WNBL change after semifinal heartbreak against the Melbourne Boomers". The West Australian. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  21. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (7 March 2018). "Jack Bendat keen on helping Perth Lynx break WNBL title drought after extending the club's licence". The West Australian. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  22. ^ "PERTH LYNX TO ENTER NEXT PHASE OF GROWTH". wnbl.basketball/perth. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020.
  23. ^ "MEDIA RELEASE – PERTH LYNX". basketballwa.asn.au. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020.
  24. ^ "LYNX PREVAIL TO MOVE TO WITHIN ONE WIN OF GRAND FINAL". wnbl.basketball/perth. 25 March 2022. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  25. ^ "CANBERRA AND PERTH GAME POSTPONED". wnbl.basketball/perth. 27 March 2022. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  26. ^ "PERTH THROUGH TO WNBL GRAND FINAL". wnbl.basketball. 29 March 2022. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  27. ^ "THE PERTH LYNX JOURNEY TO 2022 WNBL GRAND FINAL". wnbl.basketball/perth. 1 April 2022. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  28. ^ "LYNX GIVE IT ALL BUT BOOMERS WIN WNBL CHAMPIONSHIP". wnbl.basketball/perth. 9 April 2022. Archived from the original on 11 April 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  29. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (3 March 2024). "Perth Lynx import Aari McDonald holds the key to a WNBL grand final berth ahead of clash with Townsville Fire". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024.
  30. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (3 March 2024). "Perth Lynx beat Townsville Fire to qualify for WNBL grand final as Aari McDonald and Amy Atwell star again". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024.
  31. ^ "LYNX DIG DEEP AT HOME TO ADVANCE TO GRAND FINAL". wnbl.basketball/perth. 3 March 2024. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024.
  32. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (10 March 2024). "WNBL grand final: Perth Lynx thrash Southside Flyers in game one as Amy Atwell stars". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 10 March 2024.
  33. ^ "LYNX SCORCH FLYERS IN AMAZING GAME 1 SHOWING". wnbl.basketball/perth. 10 March 2024. Archived from the original on 10 March 2024.
  34. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (14 March 2024). "Perth Lynx coach Ryan Petrik wants his players to run Southside Flyers into ground in WNBL grand final". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024.
  35. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (14 March 2024). "Perth Lynx defeated by Southside Flyers after buzzer beater in game two of grand final series". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024.
  36. ^ "FLYERS PREVAIL AFTER LYNX ALMOST PULL OFF FIGHTBACK". wnbl.basketball/perth. 14 March 2024. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024.
  37. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (17 March 2024). "WNBL grand final: Perth Lynx smashed in game three by Southside as championship dream gets shattered". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024.
  38. ^ "LYNX FALL IN GAME 3 BUT PLENTY TO BE PROUD OF". wnbl.basketball/perth. 17 March 2024. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024.
  39. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (17 March 2024). "WNBL grand final: Perth Lynx coach Ryan Petrik admits inexperience was costly against Southside in decider". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024.
  40. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (27 May 2024). "Perth Lynx in discussions to sell their WNBL licence to WA couple Christian Hauff and Jodi Millhahn". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024.
  41. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (9 June 2024). "Perth Lynx about to get new owners as WNBL delays start of free agency period so deal can be completed". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 9 June 2024.
  42. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (12 June 2024). "Perth Lynx are just hours away from finalising a deal to make Christian Hauff and Jodi Millhahn new owners". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024.
  43. ^ "TRANSITION OF PERTH LYNX WNBL LICENCE". wnbl.basketball/perth. 13 June 2024. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024.
  44. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (13 June 2024). "Basketball WA transfer their WNBL licence for Perth Lynx to Christian Hauff and Jodi Millhahn". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024.
  45. ^ "SEN ENTERS MANAGEMENT RIGHTS AGREEMENT WITH NEW PERTH LYNX OWNERS". SEN.com.au. 13 June 2024. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024.
  46. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (13 June 2024). "Perth Lynx to work with Perth Wildcats after WNBL licence is transferred to Christian Hauff and Jodi Millhahn". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 14 June 2024.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Perth Lynx.