Flames unveil young stars for WNBL24 season
The Sydney Flames have completed their WNBL24 roster with the signing of one amateur and three development players.
The club’s sole amateur player for the 2023-24 campaign will be Centre of Excellence graduate Isla Juffermans.
Standing at 193cm tall, the Coffs Harbour junior sees another NSW product join the Hoops Capital club.
The 18-year-old centre has represented her country on numerous occasions, making her senior Opals debut in China recently alongside Flames teammate Shaneice Swain.
The three development players in Sydney’s squad for the upcoming season will be Blue Mountains’ Caitlyn Martin (18), Hornsby’s Abi Curtin (26) and Norths’ Carla Pitman (19).
Martin played her junior basketball with Katoomba before most recently playing NBL1 East with Norths Bears, alongside Carla Pitman – who is a Hornsby junior.
While Spiders product Curtin played her college hoops at Denver before NBL1 stints with Kilsyth and Newcastle.
All three represented NSW Metropolitan at numerous national junior championships.
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The Flames have made a concerted effort to better connect with local talent.
A total of seven NSW players are in the Flames squad this season, with these additions complementing Lauren Nicholson (Sutherland), Vanessa Panousis (Sydney) and Lara McSpadden (Newcastle) – which assistant coach and fellow NSW junior Renae Garlepp is thrilled about.
“It’s great to see these players being rewarded for their hard work and successful NSW representation,” Garlepp said.
“For young juniors to see the pathway to the top and watch players who have been in their current position will have a huge impact.
“Development player or roster player, it’s great to see so many that these kids can aspire to be like.”
The Flames tip off their season on Friday, November 3 in Perth before playing their first home game against Melbourne on November 12, as part of a Hoops Capital double-header at Qudos Bank Arena – with tickets available here.