Spotlight shines on elite’s women’s sport

THE spotlight is shining brightly on elite women’s sport at Bendigo’s Red Energy showcourt.

Game one in the Cygnett Women’s National Basketball League grand final series between Bendigo Spirit and Townsville Fire tipped off last Wednesday night at the West Bendigo arena.

Spirit’s and the WNBL hierarchy were confident of a sell-out as Bendigo marked its first grand final contest in a decade.

Game two in the best-of-three grand final series will be played in Townsville this Sunday from 2pm.

Should a third game be required then it’s back to Red Energy Arena on Wednesday, March 12 from 7pm.

Both grand finalists went two-nil in the semi-final series.

After finishing the regular season on an 18-3 record, Bendigo beat Sydney Flames in the semis.

 

Townsville tipped off its finals campaign with victory in the west against Perth Lynx and then followed up with a resounding home-court win.

Spirit is chasing its third championship and first since it completed back-to-back title victories in 2014.

There is a fierce rivalry between Spirit and Fire as both clubs featured in a hat-trick of play-off appearances.

The record stands at two-one in Spirit’s favour.

Meanwhile, Bendigo Strikers are warming up for their opening match of the Victorian Netball League season to be played at Red Energy Arena on Sunday, March 16.

The Tracey Brereton-coached Strikers will take on Peninsula Waves in the championship clash from 3pm.

A big afternoon of netball action on the Strikers court begins with the 23-and-under match at 1.30pm.

After a sixth placing in its championship season debut, Bendigo Strikers will be determined to build on a 9-11 win-loss tally.

A multiple winner of the Betty Thompson Medal as fairest and best in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL A-grade competition, Kangaroo Flat’s gun centre Chelsea Sartori takes on a new role as Strikers captain.

Experienced defender Zoe Davies who has starred in Gisborne’s premiership success will be vice-captain.

Sartori and Davies were premiership-winning team-mates with Kangaroo Flat in 2016.

Determined to make a positive start, Strikers will play Western Warriors in round two on March 23 at Cobblebank Indoor Stadium.