Australian women’s basketball elite will be on show this weekend, with the 2014 Wattle Valley Women’s National Basketball League Spring Shield pre-season tournament tipping off at Bendigo Stadium on Friday night.
For the third year running, basketball fans will have the opportunity to see all eight WNBL teams in action – including two-time defending champions Bendigo Spirit – over three days of back-to-back competition.
Fans will also get the chance to see a host of Jayco Opals stars on court, with no fewer than nine of the 12 players from the bronze medal-winning 2014 FIBA World Championships team returning to home shores to compete in the upcoming WNBL season.
Chair of the Basketball Australia Board Scott Derwin said the jam-packed three-day showcase was the perfect way to launch into the 2014/15 WNBL season.
“The Spring Shield is a fantastic opportunity for fans to see the brightest stars of Australian basketball all in the one place – including our Jayco Opals, who will be competing hot off the heels of their bronze medal win at the recent FIBA World Championships,” Mr Derwin said.
“Hosting the past two WNBL Grand Finals, Bendigo has proven itself a true basketball city; we know the fans of the region will embrace the Spring Shield and get along to see the action this weekend.”
2014/15 Wattle Valley WNBL Spring Shield
10-12 October 2014
Bendigo Stadium, 134 Marong Road, West Bendigo VIC
Friday 10 October
| Game | Time | Team 1 | Team 2 | Court | |
| 1 | 5:00pm | Townsville Fire | V | Canberra Capitals | Court 6 |
| 2 | 5:30pm | Sydney Uni Flames | V | Melbourne Boomers | Show Court |
| 3 | 7:00pm | West Coast Waves | V | Dandenong Rangers | Court 6 |
| 4 | 7:30pm | Adelaide Lightning | V | Bendigo Spirit | Show Court |
Saturday 11 October
| Game | Time | Team 1 | Team 2 | Court | |
| 5 | 4:00pm | Melbourne Boomers | V | West Coast Waves | Court 6 |
| 6 | 5:00pm | Canberra Capitals | V | Adelaide Lightning | Show Court |
| 7 | 6:00pm | Dandenong Rangers | V | Townsville Fire | Court 6 |
| 8 | 7:00pm | Bendigo Spirit | V | Sydney Uni Flames | Show Court |
Sunday 12 October
| Game | Time | Team 1 | Team 2 | Court | |
| 9 | 9:30am | 7 | V | 8 | Court 6 |
| 10 | 10:00am | 3 | V | 4 | Show Court |
| 11 | 11:30am | 5 | V | 6 | Court 6 |
| 12 | 12:00pm | 1 | V | 2 | Show Court |
The rights to host the Spring Shield were secured by Bendigo thanks to the invaluable support of the City of Greater Bendigo Council (CoGB) and Bendigo Stadium.
Tickets for the three-day tournament at Bendigo Stadium can be purchased online (click here), by phone on (03) 5440 6214 and at the door.
For all the latest news, reports and scores from the WNBL Spring Shield be sure to visit the WNBL website at www.wnbl.com.au.
In the spirit of reconciliation Basketball Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.