Flyers set to Rise & Soar in 2026.
Southside Flyers have added 'Melbourne' to their name as part of an important rebrand ahead of the 2025/26 season in the new-look WNBL.
After six seasons as the Southside Flyers in the WNBL, the team will enter the new season as the Southside Melbourne Flyers, confirming their position as Melbourne's team in Australia's elite women's basketball competition.
The rebrand was announced this week by Flyers owner Gerry Ryan, who said, as the only team in the city and with the new-look WNBL set to commence in October, it was the right time to add Melbourne to the name.
"We are proud to represent Victoria's capital city, and importantly, we have retained the Southside name as this represents our history and where we are based," Gerry said.
"As the Southside Melbourne Flyers, we are the team for all of Melbourne and will continue to grow and support basketball right across Australia. Adding Melbourne ensures, no matter where we play, everyone around Australia knows the Flyers are Melbourne's team," Gerry added.
The addition of Melbourne in the name has been complemented by a slight change to the Flyers logo as well as a fresh update to the stylized 'F' monogram logo and the new slogan - "Rise & Soar'".
A new look, but the emphasis has not changed as the Flyers continue to focus on development to build a successful program and develop role models on and off the court.
"We are about promoting the opportunity for young females to play the game with a clear pathway to the WNBL and beyond," said Gerry.
The success of two women's national teams over the weekend, the Opals (Asia Cup Gold Medal) and the Gems (World Cup Silver Medal), has cemented Australia's world standing in women's basketball.
Five Flyers were part of the successful national teams. New Flyers, Cayla George (Opals Captain) and Issie Bourne, were joined in the Opals Gold winning team by Flyers Head Coach Kristi Harrower, who is an Assistant Coach with the Opals. (Unfortunately, Maddy Rocci was a late withdrawal from the team due to injury.)
The Flyers were represented in the Gems team by Manny Puoch and Assistant Coach Jo Wood, who is an Assistant Coach with the Gems.
This international success has also added to the anticipation of the new WNBL season
"It was exciting for the Flyers to have great representation in our national teams; it is important for the players and coaches' ongoing development and is a confidence boost for the team for the season ahead," said Gerry Ryan.
"We are looking forward to the positive changes that the new ownership has promised and helping to build a competition that captures public attention and reflects Australia's standing as a world leader in women's basketball," Gerry added.
The Flyers rebrand coincides with the launch of the Flyers membership campaign for 2025/26, which will be on sale to the public from 10 am on Friday, 25 July. Game day membership includes 11 home games for the 2025/26 season, starting from just $44.
The Flyers
The Flyers were established in 2019 following the demise of the Dandenong Rangers in the WNBL competition, with Gerry Ryan, a long-time sponsor of the Ranges and Australian basketball, taking over the licence. He was determined to work with local communities to ensure young girls had the opportunity to play basketball and follow in the footsteps of their heroes playing in a local WNBL team.
There is no denying the success of the Flyers - in six season, they have reached four Grand Finals and won the Championship twice. Importantly, the Flyers continue to focus on development to build a successful program and develop role models on and off the court.
"We are about promoting the opportunity for young females to play the game with a clear pathway to the WNBL and beyond," said Gerry.
The New Brand
Evolving from the original Flyers logo, the addition of the word "Melbourne" grounds the team to Victoria's capital, and being based in the south-east of Melbourne, Southside not only represents the region but adds an edgy urban and cool feel.
The revised logo honors the colors of the original Southside branding while bringing in navy to create a modern, energetic identity.
"Flyers' script conveys movement and agility, key traits of basketball, and creates a positive feeling of achievement, soaring above the rest, both on and off the court.
Its aspirational feel is aligned to a club seeking to bring out the best in their players and the community, to inspire the next generation of female basketballers.
