MELBOURNE DERBY TO OPEN SEASON IN STAND ALONE FIXTURE

August 17, 2017 | WNBL news

An alteration to the 2017/18 WNBL schedule will see a stand-alone game on Thursday, October 5 positioned as the season opener with the Jayco Dandenong Rangers hosting the Deakin Melbourne Boomers at 7.30pm.

One of the strongest rivalries in the WNBL, the match also serves as the first game of the Michele Timms Cup which will be decided over three contests this season.

Fans will have the opportunity to see Australian Opal and Boomer Elizabeth Cambage in her return to the league while Dandenong will also welcome Spanish Olympic silver medalist Laia Palau for her debut with the Rangers.

The change is a result of an effort to integrate the WNBL season opener with the Australian Under-14 Junior Championships which are being hosted this year by Dandenong Basketball Association from October 2-7.

ÒWith the season opener now on October 5, it will provide the perfect opportunity for the next generation of Australian basketball stars to witness some of the best basketball in the world,Ó said Head of WNBL, Sally Phillips.

Jayco Rangers Elite Teams Manager Trish Fallon was equally excited about the opportunity.

ÒWe are thrilled to host the 2017/18 WNBL season opener against local rivals Melbourne,Ó Fallon said.

ÒA number of Australian Opals stars will be participating in this game and it will also be the first WNBL game for Spanish national team captain Palau so it is certain to be a cracker game.

ÒWith the best Under-14 clubs across Australia also at Dandenong Stadium, it will be a great opportunity for these young stars of the future to witness close up some of the finest female basketball talent in AustraliaÓ.

The full fixture for 2017/18 can be found on the main tab via the WNBL website here.