POSTED BY: Eurobasket Center
2006 has been a tremendous season for Women Basketball in Australia as the Opals became the World Champions in Brazil. While there won't be any major international tournament in 2007, this year will be, again, full of basketball with major youth competitions, domestic leagues and even the major tournament in the South Pacific.
05-01-2007: Lauren Jackson (196-F/C-81) to play in Korea
She signs a three-year deal reported to be worth $500,000 for each January-April season to play with Seoul in the South Korean league. After this experience, she might head to Russia before the WNBA season.
22-01-2007: Australian Junior Development Camp
This camp is held annualy in Canberra. Athletes are selected through identification in various State programs as having the potential to represent Australia at International level.
17-02-2007: WNBL Grand Final
Since Lauren Jackson left the WNBL, would the Canberra Capitals be able to win a second title in a row? This season, Adelaide and Sydney also want to bring the trophy home.
18-02-2007: Australia U20 Nationals
The week-long tournament will be held in Ballarat, it will feature all the best australian players born in 1988 and 1989. Seven teams representating the australian states will be playing along with the FIBA Oceania All-Stars for the first time.
29-06-2007: FIBA U21 World Championships in Russia
The Australia U21 NT, the Sapphires, will head to Russia to compete for the Gold medal against the USA and the host nation. The team hasn't been announced yet but it should include high-profile players like Renae Camino (177-G-87), Jenna O'Hea (185-G/F-87), Abby Bishop (189-C-88) or Rebecca Duke (183-G-87).
30-06-2007: Australia U18-U16 Nationals
Two tournaments, two weeks to discover the next great players from Down Under born in 1990, 91, 92 and 93. The U16 tournament will take place in Gosford while the U18 tournament will be held in Launceston.
26-7-2007: FIBA U19 World Championships in Slovakia
One month after the Sapphires, the Gems, Australia U19 NT, will go to Bratislava to compete against the world's bests. The team will be made mostly by AIS students like Cayla Francis (192-C-89), Katie Ebzery (177-G-90) , Emma Langford (187-F-89) or Mia Newley (180-F-88).
18-08-2007: ABA Nationals Finals
After a summer of competition, the ABA leagues winner will face each other to claim the National title.
30-08-2007: Opals Tour in Europe
At the end of the WNBA season, the reigning World Champions Australia will tour Europe to play against the best teams there. This would be great event, one year before the 2008 Olympics in Beijin.
05-10-2007: WNBL 2007/08 season start
The best league in Australia will tip-off another season with a 9th team which will be based in Bendigo.
Also in 2007:
24-07 to 05-08: Sout
