The eagle has landed for Wyndham’s basketball lovers.
The promise of seeing top-level players in high profile games at the newly constructed Eagle Stadium is about to be delivered.
Werribee Basketball pulled off a coup wooing WNBL clubs Bendigo Spirit and Dandenong Rangers for a preseason game this Saturday night.
It could be the tip of the iceberg for the Ballan Road stadium if the game is a roaring success, with Werribee Basketball also eyeing off NBL preseason games involving Melbourne United, national under-age tournaments, and possibly the WNBL preseason tournament.
“It’s a huge coup for us,” Werribee Basketball competition and participation manager Jason Kelly told Star Weekly.
“There hasn’t been a WNBL game played on this side of the bridge at a metro association venue.
“Our goal is to bring bigger and better events to this side of town.”
Werribee Basketball is thrilled that its first major drawcard event at the new stadium will be a WNBL game.
The association is keen to boost its female participation rate … and to bring the stars of the WNBL to town is its best promotion.
All eyes will be on Bendigo forward Kelsey Griffin, the third overall pick in the 2010 WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx.
Griffin spent five years in the US professional league with Connecticut Sun, and has played abroad in Hungary and Israel.
Griffin is a two-time champion with Bendigo in the WNBL, and a grand final MVP on both occasions.
Stephanie Cumming is a player to watch, on the Dandenong side of the equation.
Cumming is also a two-time WNBL champion, with the Rangers and Townsville Fire.
A former WNBL defensive player of the year, Cumming returned to the Rangers this season.
The starting fives from both teams are expected to take to the court with the WNBL season just two weeks away.
“When we spoke to Bendigo, they jumped at the idea because it’s great exposure for them,” Kelly said.
“Dandenong was the same, and the league is on board and think it’s a great thing to have it on this side of town.
“It’s huge for us to be able to showcase women’s sport because we’re trying to grow our female participation base.
“One of our goals is to get it up about the 50 per cent mark … currently it about 25 per cent.
“It will also showcase Werribee Basketball and Eagle Stadium.”
The game will tip off at 7pm on Saturday, with tickets $10 for adults and $5 for children.
