Welcome to the 24/25 WNBL Season – The Future is Here!
WELCOME to the 2024/25 CYGNETT WNBL SEASON
“As we embark on the 45th season of the WNBL, Australia’s longest-running professional women’s sporting league, we’re set for another record-breaking year. 8 teams, 15 rounds, 84 regular season games, 6-9 finals – all coming down to one champion at the end of the season.”
“The 2023/24 season saw record crowds, with over 150 thousand fans packing stadiums across the country, and more people tuning in to watch than ever before. Club memberships increased by 20%, and the fan base overall increased to 2.5 million. The Southside Flyers took out an epic 3-game Grand Final series, securing their second Championship in just five seasons. The numbers and stories from last season were inspiring, but we’re not done yet.”
“The 24/25 WNBL season will again showcase an exceptional blend of homegrown and international superstars, solidifying the leagues reputation as truly world-class.”
“Our Paris Olympians are front and centre, with 10 Opals and Gangurrus set to hit the floor – our Aussie WNBA stars, Steph Talbot (LA Sparks to Adelaide), Sami Whitcomb (Seattle to Bendigo), Jade Melbourne (Washington to Canberra) and Amy Atwell (Phoenix to Perth), and our local heroes, Anneli Maley (Perth), Lauren Mansfield (Townsville), Ally Wilson (Perth), Cayla George (Sydney), Marianna Tolo (Bendigo), and Isobel Borlase (Adelaide) all suiting up for another WNBL season.”
“There are several new WNBA stars joining the league this season, with Hayley Jones (Atlanta to Geelong), Celeste Taylor (Phoenix to Sydney), Zia Cooke (LA Sparks to Townsville) and Canadian, Laeticia Amihere (Atlanta to Perth), hitting our shores, while we also see the return of Brianna Turner (Phoenix to Adelaide) and Naz Hillmon (Atlanta to Southside) to the courts.”
“NZ international Tera Reed will suit up for Southside, while 2021 WNBA No.1 draft pick, Charli Collier, will join the UC Capitals.”
“The three young Australians who were drafted in the WNBA this year – Izzy Borlase (Adelaide), Nyadiew Puoch (UC Capitals) and Jaz Shelley (Geelong) – will also hone their skills in the league this season as they look to vie for WNBA positions in 2025.”
“Paul Goriss will be back at the helm of the UC Capitals this season, after serving as the Atlanta Dream Assistant Coach in the WNBA for the past two seasons.”
“We welcome Geelong United to the WNBL, who have built an exceptional roster for their inaugral season, and will play the opening game of the league at Geelong Arena.”
“Broadcast access is better than ever, with every game available LIVE across multiple platforms. ESPN continues to bring Wednesday night and Finals games to fans, while a Sunday Showcase game on 9GO has been added this season. All other games will be on Nine’s digital free-to-air channel, 9Now. Multiple international broadcasters also bring global attention to our league.
“The WNBL Indigenous Round, aimed at recognising and celebrate indigenous culture; and promoting Indigenous Participation in basketball, will be held during Round 4. The WNBL remains committed to driving social change, and through our partnership with Share the Dignity, we will once again deliver a round aimed at Fighting Period Poverty in Round 13.”
“In a further display of wanting to effect real social impact and change, in a new collaborative initiative this season, the league, Clubs, ABPA and players have joined forces to deliver a season long initiative aimed at raising awareness about domestic violence. Athletes will don purple in every game, undertake a range of education, and have the opportunity to be involved on the ground with partner, Full Stop Australia.”
“The WNBL’s incredible growth and ability to deliver a world-class league wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and passion of our athletes, administrators, coaches, officials, sponsors, media, and our loyal fans. A heartfelt thank you goes to our partners – Cygnett, CTM Sport, iAthletic, Spalding, and Coca-Cola Europacific for their continued support, and we warmly welcome our new partners for the season – Footlocker, Ford and Latina Fresh.”
“Welcome to the 24/25 WNBL Season – the Future is Here!”
Christy Collier-Hill
Head of WNBL