Banner has embraced a number of opportunities to partner with the wider community, supporting local initiatives and actively promoting up and coming talent.
Shea Ili
Professional Basketball Player
Shea Ili is a professional Basketball player from New Zealand who has had a decorated carer playing competitively in the New Zealand & Australian National Basketball Leagues. Ili has been a key part of the Melbourne United line-up since joining the squad in 2019, including being honoured as the NBL’s Best Sixth Man in 2021/22 season and winning his second Australian NBL championship as a member of Melbourne United in 2020/21.
Ariel Hukporti
Professional Basketball Player
Ariel Hukporti is a German born professional Basketball player who signed for Melbourne United in 2021. Ariel is set to make waves in his NBL comeback from a pre-season injury as a key pillar of Melbourne United’s next generation for season 2023/24.
Brad Kennedy
Professional Golfer
Brad Kennedy is a decorated Australian golfer who turned professional in 1994. In a successful golfing career on the world stage, Brad has notched up 14 professional wins and shows no signs of slowing down. Since 2011, Brad competed predominantly in the Japan Golf Tour, in which he has won three times. He has also enjoyed success competing on the PGA Tour of Australasia, winning five tournaments. His most significant wins have been at the New Zealand Open, which he won in 2011 and 2020.
Sam Docherty
Professional Footballer
Sam is an Australian Football player who has played over 120 games for both the Brisbane Lions and Carlton Football Club. Sam was awarded Carlton FC’s Most Improved Player in 2016, and in the following year received All Australian Honours for his efforts during the 2017 AFL season.
Melissa Tapper
Olympic Table Tennis Player
Melissa is an Australian table tennis player who has represented Australia at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Melissa has achieved numerous honours throughout her career, including a gold medal at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and being awarded the Victorian Sport Athlete of the Year in 2018.
Joey Mawson
Professional Racing Driver
Joey is an Australian racing driver who has a passion for racing. Karting from the age of 7, Joey soon started to dominate the junior karting scene. His career progressed into several other professional competitions, both domestically and overseas. This included numerous podium finishes and race wins in the FIA Formula 3 and Formula 4 and Porsche Carrera Cup competitions. Currently, Joey is racing in the VHT S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship, which he won in 2021 and we were excited with his victory in the S5000 at Grand Prix weekend in Melbourne 2022.
Stephanie Bunque
Professional Golfer
Stephanie is a professional Australian golfer. In 2018, she represented Australia in the Queens Sirkit Cup Thailand and was the winner of the Victorian Amateur, firmly placing her on the path to becoming a professional golfer, which she did in 2021. Steph now has her sights set on competing in the LPGA tour & winning a major tournament.
Ed Curnow
Professional Footballer
Ed is an Australian Football player who has played over 200 games for the Carlton Football Club. As a testament to Ed’s character and on field leadership, he was awarded the Carlton FC Best Clubman twice for the 2013 and 2016 AFL seasons.
