Dandenong games record holder Allie Douglas and current skipper Caitlin Ryan will be among those vying for selection in the Jayco Ranges Team of the Decade.By Paul Pickering
THE Dandenong Rangers will next week celebrate a 10-year alliance with naming rights sponsor Jayco Australia by announcing a preliminary squad for the Jayco Rangers Team of the Decade.
A 20-player squad will be named at half-time of the Rangers’ game against Perth Lynx on Friday 8 February.
The off-court partnership between Dandenong and the caravan and recreational vehicle giant has paved the way for a period of unprecedented on-court success at Stud Road.
Since Jayco came on board in 1997, the Rangers have made the playoffs six times, winning back-to-back championships in 2003-04 and 2004-05 and finishing runners-up to Canberra the following summer.
The four-person selection panel will face the unenviable task of whittling the squad down to 10 players in time for the Rangers’ MVP dinner on Friday 14 March, with past greats such as Penny Taylor, Allie Douglas and Jessica Bibby vying for selection against current stars Emily McInerny and Caitlin Ryan.
Last week, Dandenong Basketball general manager Peter Roach announced that next week’s game will be devoted to paying tribute to the Jayco-Rangers union, with sponsors treated to drinks and canapes on the hardwood after the match.
“We are delighted to have had Jayco Australia involved with our club for the past 10 years,” Roach said.
“The support, encouragement and friendship that they have provided in this time has been outstanding, and we would not be in the strong position we are in without their involvement.”
