6 December 1996

OPALS' WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CAMPAIGN COMMENCES

The Goldmark Opals commence their campaign for the 1998 World Championships and ultimately the Sydney 2000 Olympics with a five day training camp to be held in Canberra from 27 - 31 January 1997.

Newly re-appointed head coach Tom Maher has named a squad of 23 players, including five current Australian U/20 women (Gems) players, the entire Atlanta Bronze medal team and a further six players who hope to push for representative honours.

The squad is:
Jessica Bibby (Dandenong Rangers)
Tracey Braithwaite (AIS)
Carla Boyd (Adelaide Lightning)
Michelle Brogan (Sydney Flames)
Sandy Brondello (Brisbane Blazers/Barmer TV)
Michelle Chandler (Bulleen)
Allison Cook (Dandenong Rangers)
Rohanee Cox (AIS)
Chika Emeagi (AIS)
Trish Fallon (Sydney Flames)
Lauren Jackson (Albury)
Jo Hill (Adelaide Lightning)
Narelle Henry (Perth Breakers)
Kristy Harrower (Melbourne Tigers)
Jai Kingi (Adelaide Lightning)
Robyn Maher (Sydney Flames)
Natalie Porter (Melbourne Tigers)
Fiona Robinson (Canberra Capital/Spain)
Rachael Sporn (Adelaide Lightning/Austria)
Shelley Sandie (USA)
Gina Stevens (Perth Breakers)
Michele Timms (Barmer TV/WNBA)
Jenny Whittle (Brisbane Blazers/Germany)

The concern for Coach Maher is the availability of star players Sandy Brondello, Fiona Robinson, Shelley Sandie, Rachel Sporn, Michele Timms and Jenny Whittle who are all currently overseas playing professionally.

“While it is exciting our players are now recognised and being recruited as some of the best players in the world, it requires a bit more juggling and understanding on my part to accommodate these overseas players,” said Coach Maher.

“The camp in January will provide an excellent opportunity for some of Australia’s young talent. If they mature quickly the experience gained may make my team selection more difficult but Australian Basketball will be much stronger for it,” he added.