It has been as many as six years since a WNBL game has been played at the Bomaderry Basketball Stadium and it is exciting to see it return. Some of the nation’s best female basketballers will take to the court Saturday evening and both teams have recruited well in the off season and it will be a chance for them to test their new outfits before the Wattle Valley WNBL season tips off on October 17.

The University of Canberra Capitals have been busy in the off season signing some of the leagues big names Former WNBL Rookie of the year Stephanie Talbot will see her first hit out in UC Caps colours alongside Jayco Opal star Hannah Zavec who also signed in the off season after her former team the Logan Thunder dissolved at the end of the 2013 -14 season. 

Veteran guard Kristen Veal makes a return to the Nation’s capital after being appointed to the Centre of Excellence as an assistant coach in the Women’s basketball program.

Veal will play alongside the UC Caps other veterans Jess Bibby who this season will play her 400th WNBL game Carly Wilson and Michelle Cosier then you add the size and strength of Abby Bishop, and you have a making of a championship team. The big calling card for the UC Capitals this season is Lauren Jackson. She is currently recovering from surgery and is in rehabilitation and is set to make a comeback in the UC Caps colours soon. Lauren had to withdraw from the Opals world championship campaign due the surgery and is excited to pull on a UC Capitals singlet again this season and is biting at the bit to play in the WNBL once again.

The UC Capitals will be under the guidance of head coach Carrie Graf once again who boasts over 20 years Coaching Experience and is a Dual Olympian as an Australian National Assistant Coach Silver(2000) and Bronze(1996) she has had six years (142 games) as Australian National Team Assistant won a  Gold Medal World University Games 2007 – Head Coach (First ever Gold medal by any Australian team of any sport in 27 years) she was also a  two-year head coach in WNBA – Phoenix Mercury, 5 year Assistant Coach in WNBA – Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm and won seven WNBL Championships as Head Coach in 13 seasons who has taken her teams to play-offs every season as a WNBL Head Coach (11 seasons) 75% win/loss record as a WNBL Head Coach Winningest Coach in WNBL history. Carrie will be looking for a good start to the UC Capitals 2014 – 15 campaign as many of the other teams have recruited well in the off season as well the league is getting tougher each year but providing the caps stay fit and well anything can happen come the end of February.

The Bryden’s Sydney Uni Flames have also made some major changes in the off season with the signing of a new coach Shannon Seebohm who has just topped off a terrific season in the NSW Waratah league winning the Women’s Championship with the Hornsby Spiders and for the past two seasons was the assistant coach with the Sydney Kings in the NBL.

The Flames have retained Australian Opal Katie Rae Ebzery for the 2014 – 15 Season and former opal and veteran forward Rohanee Cox. Their big signing has been Australian Opals Back up point guard Lelani Mitchell who came from the Dandenong Rangers. Currently Lelani is overseas with the Opals competing at the World Championships in Turkey and will return at the end of the campaign to join her Sydney Teammates.

Former NSW Junior and Centre of Excellence graduate Kate Oliver has returned from her US College to play with the flames and of most recent the Flames have signed two American imports Paris Johnson from San Diego, California she joins the team after competing in Queensland’s Basketball League (QBL) in the off season.

An experienced and successful European league and college player, Johnson has shown she is an asset in Australian competition and will make a natural transition into the Flames program.

Playing for the Brisbane Capitals in the QBL, Johnson averaged 15.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.9 blocks per game, shooting at 47.7 per cent. She was ranked first in the league for number of blocks and ranked third for average number of rebounds per season.

At 6 foot 4 inches, Paris will join Kate Oliver and Mikaela Ruef to create a strong front court for the team.  Johnson played out her college career for San Diego State University where she still holds records for the number of blocked shots in a single season. She is a two time San Diego County Player of the Year and boasts many other top ten statistical rankings for her University.

The second of the Flames imports is Mikaela Ruef who is coming straight off a very successful season of basketball with Stanford where her team made the NCAA final four, Mikaela has had a strong five-season career with the University.

Mikaela was an invaluable member of the Stanford team, starting in 36 out of 37 games in her final season. She averaged seven points per game, shooting at 42 per cent, 9.3 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists per game. She is known for both her inside and outside game, making her a versatile option for the Flames.

In her final year Mikaela was awarded an All-Pacific 12 Honourable Mention and an Academic Honourable mention. While playing she has also balanced her studies and working commitments, graduating with a Civil and Environmental Engineering degree.

Mikaela is excited and enthusiastic to be joining the Flames “I’m so proud to be a part of the Brydens Sydney Uni Flames. I’m looking forward to working hard and doing what is required in order to help my team be successful” she said.

Before the game both teams will be conducting a super skills clinic at the stadium from 11am – 1.30pm this is Free of charge and is open to anyone aged 7 – 16 years-old, forms are available by contacting Shoalhaven Basketball Stadium on 44213800 or Kennedys Tours on 44217596. The Clinic will be conducted by the players and the coaching staff of the Capitals and Flames Children that attend the clinic receive a FREE ticket to the game.

We are also offer a great deal at the moment with our corporate package you can purchase one of our corporate boxes where you and seven of your family or friends will be seated courtside in a catered box for just $150.00 the package includes light refreshments, hot and cold platter plus a chance to have a meal with the teams at the after match function being held at the stadium on court two at the conclusion of the game. If you are interested in purchasing this fantastic deal please contact Scott Balsar on 0412 770713.

Tickets will be available at the door on the night General admission prices are adults $5 Children $3 and a family of four (two adults and two children) $10 there are limited seats so make sure you get in early.