WNBL preseason match in Latrobe

A collaboration between Latrobe City Council and the Traralgon Amateur Basketball Association will see a preseason game between the Bendigo Bank Spirit and Dandenong Rangers on Sunday 27 September 2015, tip off at 2pm.

Latrobe City Council’s mayor, Councillor Dale Harriman, said that the game would cap off a two-day visit to Latrobe City which will feature junior clinics and coach the coach sessions.

“We know that Traralgon has first-class facilities worthy of hosting a WNBL pre-season game. It’s great news that Bendigo Spirit will visit and play here. It’s testament to our reputation as host for major regional sporting events.

“As well as being a great opportunity to host an elite sporting event at our facilities, a fixture like this has the potential to inspire our young sporting stars of the future. Our community can access a game at this level without having to travel to the city and we can show off our municipality and its surrounds to visitors who may wish to experience our hospitality again in future. It’s a win-win situation,” Cr Harriman said.

The visit will be a special one for three of the Spirit’s stars, Gippslanders Belinda Snell, Kelly Wilson and Andrea Wilson. The Wilson sisters hail from Leongatha, and Snell began playing basketball when she was eight, at Mirboo North.

Snell, who is an Opals regular, said the Traralgon visit was special for the trio.
“We want to show local basketballers, boys and girls, that you can play the game at the highest level no matter where you live. The Spirit prides itself on being country Victoria’s team and we want locals to know there is a clear pathway between playing in the local leagues and playing in a national competition.

“Most of our team grew up in regional Victoria and we are all really looking forward to catching up with as many locals as we can, and to show them what we can do.

Coach Simon Pritchard said the game would be a great chance to get in some much-needed match practice. Because these girls play basketball all across the world, we really value the preseason games.

“There will be some world-class talent on the court, on both teams, and I encourage the Latrobe City community to come along to the clinics and the game and see that talent up close,” Mr Pritchard concluded.

For more information about the pre-game activities and the game itself visit http://www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/Whats_On/Events/Events_Calendar/Events_Calendar/2015_WNBL_Preseason_Camp

For more information visit Latrobe City Council