Opals to play in Chinese tournament

The Australian women’s basketball team, the ‘Price Attack’ Opals, head to China next Tuesday for their first international hit out of the season as they prepare for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne next March.

The team flies into Harbin in Heilongjiang Province and play three matches against Russia, Cuba and China (8-10 July) before flying onto Shanghai. They play those teams again in Shanghai (13-15 July) with two more friendly games against China on July 17 and 18.

11 athletes will make the trip to China with many getting their first taste of international basketball with the Opals. The Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) Most Valuable Player in 2005, Katrina Hibbert, is looking forward to her first overseas tour with the team.

“I’m actually feeling a little nervous about my first tour with the team,” the 27-year-old said.

“It will be great to get over there, and with so many new people in the team it should be fun and interesting. It will be a great opportunity to see where we all are within the current group and also how that group stands up internationally.”

Alicia Poto is the only athlete from the Athens 2004 Olympic Games making the trip, but internationally experienced players like Jae Cross (Kingi), Hollie Grima and Jacinta Hamilton will help steer the team throughout the eight games.

Grima has helped her WNBL Bulleen teammate Hibbert with some advice on what to take with her on the trip.

“Hollie is taking lots of her own food and has advised me to do the same because you can get a little tired of rice for every meal,” Hibbert laughs.

“I think it’s going to be great.”

While focussing on their Opals commitments, many of the athletes are thinking ahead to the 2005/06 WNBL season, with the draw revealed last week, and the season set to tip-off on September 30.

Many of the Opals athletes are considering the WNBL as preparation for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, which will see the level of talent explode in the already high quality competition.

Lauren Jackson will once again be the League’s biggest drawcard, returning to the Capitals after missing last season due to ankle surgery. Jackson will be joined by 19 fellow Opals squad members including Trish Fallon, Natalie Porter, Laura Summerton and Hollie Grima. It is hoped that athletes such as Suzy Batkovic and Alicia Poto will also choose to prepare for the Melbourne Games in Australia rather than returning to Europe where they have been playing for the past few years.

The team returns home from the Chinese tour on 20 July with a stopover in Hong Kong where the team will have time to relax, shop and do some sightseeing.

Opals team for China

Deanne Butler, Jae Cross, Emma Randall, Hollie Grima, Emily McInerny, Jenni Screen, Jacinta Hamilton, Alicia Poto, Carly Wilson, Katrina Hibbert and Erin Phillips.