Basketball’s big names head to Ballarat

WOMEN’S National Basketball League team Bendigo Spirit will be heading to Ballarat next month to play an in-season game at Selkirk Stadium.

The round four game, to be played Sunday 24 November against the Southside Flyers, is part of the WNBL’s Indigenous Round which celebrates culture and community.

The announcement was made last Friday and Paris Olympic bronze medallist Marianna Tolo visited Selkirk Stadium to celebrate.

Tolo said the game is about inspiring the next generation of sportswomen.

“It inspires all the kids of the region, it doesn’t have to be basketballers,” she said.

“I was lucky enough to be visited by Cathy Freeman at my Primary School when I was a kid and that said to me if she could go to the Olympics and win a gold medal and be the fastest women in the world, why can’t I be really good at basketball.

“It’s not just about basketball or sport even, it’s about inspiring the next generations of really talented kids to go out and try and achieve their dreams.”

It is hoped the match will strengthen the connection between Ballarat and Bendigo, with Strikers head Coach Kennedy Kereama and players Abbey Wehrung and Micah Simpson representing the Ballarat Miners NBL1 team this past season.

“Bendigo and Ballarat typically have some rivalries,” said Basketball Ballarat CEO Neville Ivey.

“But Bendigo have the national competition, and we want to get behind that and showcase that over in Ballarat and we’re fortunate to do that.”