The Time To Make Australia Basketball Great Is Now- Lauren Jackson


As one of the post coronavirus activities in basketball, the WNBL is said to usher its 41st season, one of the longest elite women's sporting competition in Australia in November 2020.


However, Basketball Australia Head of Women in Basketball Lauren Jackson revealed that the WNBL plays a great role in the development of Women's Basketball in Australia and the future of Opals that will compete in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and 2022 Women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney.


Jackson stated: "We are entering an extremely exciting period for Australian women’s basketball, with the delayed Tokyo Olympics in July 2021 and Sydney set to host the 2022 Women’s Basketball World Cup. With the Opals currently ranked number two in the world and the Gems finishing with the silver medal at last year’s FIBA 19s World Cup, never has there been a greater opportunity for Australia to claim that title as the world’s best women’s basketball nation. "Australia is the envy of the basketball world for the quality of talent we produce both on and off the court. With an eye on the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Sydney, having a strong domestic league while providing opportunities for our current and emerging talent is our priority.


The WNBL is expected to kick-off on 20-22 November, to be concluded the season at least on 31 March 2021. Jackson has proudly praised the continued development of Women's Basketball in Australia and believed the WNBL always play a huge part in their growth and expressed the importance of pushing the momentum forward and probably be the best in the world.


She explained: “Women’s professional sport in Australia has taken giant leaps forward over recent years and it’s extremely important to Basketball Australia that the WNBL doesn’t regress during these times of global adversity we want the opposite to occur.


It was reported that the league opened its free agency period Last Thursday and is expecting a great turn out of talent from their overseas stars including WNBA players.


Jackson revealed: “In addition to the sensational Australian talent who have either re-signed or on the Free Agency List for next season, the WNBL could welcome back some of our homegrown superstars including the likes of Liz Cambage and Alanna Smith, which would be phenomenal for the WNBL.


She has also mentioned that Basketball Australia is working hand in hand with the WNBL Commission to ensure the financial sustainability of the league during the COVID-19 crisis and expected to play games without fans in the first few months.


Jackson explained: “To enable the league and clubs to operate their businesses accordingly and to give fans and broadcasters clarity over the new season, we are prepared to start the 2020-21 Chemist Warehouse WNBL season without fans should current COVID-19 restrictions on mass gatherings remain in place. “Basketball Australia and the WNBL Commission are considering other initiatives to further support the league and teams during these unprecedented times while ensuring the integrity of Australia’s longest-running elite women’s sporting competition is not compromised.


The November opening would go a long way to develop the Australian basketball.


 


.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

LEAVE A COMMENT