Regional Victoria to host Summer Basketball Festival.

Regional Victoria will host 15 WNBL matches across January as part of a festival of women’s basketball.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula today announced the games to be held in Ballarat and Gippsland.

Minister Pakula said, “We’re bringing more basketball to regional Victoria because sporting events attract visitors and support local jobs.”

“As Australia’s premier sporting state, we’re delivering a packed events calendar this summer right across Victoria.”

Lauren Jackson AO, OLY is excited for basketball to head into regional centres to give girls an opportunity to see the world’s best players in their hometowns.

“I grew up in a regional centre not unlike Ballarat, I always say that you can’t be what you can’t see so the opportunity for young girls to be able to watch these players and one day play in the WNBL is fantastic,” said Jackson

The Perth Lynx will be based in Ballarat for the month of January, training at Selkirk Stadium where there will be opportunities to meet the players and attend training sessions. The festival will see all WNBL teams venture to Ballarat for games.

Traralgon will hold a doubleheader on the 8th of January as the Sydney Uni Flames and Perth Lynx face-off followed by the Melbourne Boomers and UC Capitals.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison, herself a basketballer, is delighted to welcome the WNBL to Ballarat.

“Basketball has a huge following in Ballarat, with thousands of locals playing each week. Selkirk Stadium was designed to host major events like the WNBL and we look forward to being the Victorian home of the Perth Lynx.”

The festival commences January 8th and will run through until the 29th.