The WNBL starts a new era on 18 October and as always, a core of past and present Seven Consulting Opals will heavily feature across the lineups.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With a combination of recent Olympians, Asia Cup champions and emerging stars interlocked with elite international talent – a hyper-competitive environment is expected. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The dynamics ahead of Season 25-26 will ultimately continue a positive progression of the WNBL as an elite pathway for women\u2019s basketball in Australia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lauren Jackson AO OLY, Basketball Australia\u2019s GM of Women in Basketball, reflected on the league\u2019s enduring impact, saying:\u00a0<\/p>\n
“The WNBL continues to be the heartbeat of women\u2019s basketball in Australia, and Season 25-26 will be no different. With Olympians, Asia Cup champions, emerging young stars and world-class international talent all on court, fans can expect one of the most competitive seasons yet,\u201d said Jackson. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe league\u2019s strength is not only in the calibre of its athletes, but also in the way it prepares the next generation to step onto the global stage. We\u2019re entering a new era that reaffirms the WNBL as a premier pathway for women in our game\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A flurry of player movements occurred in the off-season, particularly amongst the Opals cohort.<\/p>\n
One of the notable and potentially impactful shifts involved Opals rising star Isobel Borlase, who transferred from her hometown Adelaide to the reigning champions, Bendigo Spirit. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI never really wanted to leave Adelaide because that\u2019s home.\u201d Borlase said. \u201cBut once I wrote down my goals and what I wanted out of the next few years, Bendigo just felt like the right fit,\u201d said Borlase.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
At just 21 years of age, Borlase is an upcoming star of the next generation.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
With an Olympic bronze debut in 2024 and an Asia Cup championship in July, Borlase jumped at another opportunity to challenge herself with a relocation to Victoria.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t really lived out of home like this before, so it\u2019s been a big adjustment. What makes Bendigo special is the people. Not all the girls are from Bendigo so we hang out a lot off the court which I really appreciate,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve got things in place to create a successful team – from ownership all the way down,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s a whole, new group this year so it will be a little bit different to what Bendigo were like last year, but with Tolo and KG around it\u2019ll be a good vibe.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0Borlase will be in good company in Bendigo with veteran leaders Marianna Tolo, Kelsey Griffin and championship winning coach Kennedy Kereama \u2013 but she isn\u2019t the only Opal embracing a change of scenery.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Southside Flyers strengthened their lineup after a down year and welcome the additions of Cayla George and Isabelle Bourne. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The rebranded Geelong Venom, formerly known as Geelong United, secured 24-year-old guard Shyla Heal and the Sydney Flames added veteran presence with Keely Froling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Darcee Garbin returns to the WNBL fold for Townsville alongside dynamic young guard Miela Sowah and a stack of Opals stars including Asia Cup MVP Alex Fowler. \u00a0<\/p>\n
In Canberra, the UC Capitals headlined their off-season with the acquisition of Zitina Aokuso and Sara Blicavs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The WNBL is set to tip off with the Jayco Southside Flyers vs UC Capitals at John Cain Arena on Saturday the 18th of October<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n
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