The Canberra Capitals are keen to explore options of live streaming their games to tap into a neglected WNBL market in the absence of a broadcast deal.
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The WNBL will use Facebook to broadcast a clash between the Dandenong Rangers and Melbourne Boomers on Sunday as the league continues without a presence on television.
The rise of women's sport - in particular netball, Twenty20 cricket and soccer - has put the heat on WNBL officials to ensure they don't neglect viewers.
The league kiboshed the Capitals' plans to live stream games online for years ago, but Capitals boss Joe Roff hopes the Rangers-Boomers clash will help reinvigorate broadcast plans.
The Capitals will play the Townsville Fire at Tuggeranong on Saturday night and crowd numbers are growing as the club rebuilds on the court.
"This week is a pilot and I know the WNBL are still seeking broadcast rights for the competition this year," Roff said.
"The game and the competition needs more exposure. It's competing against other women's sports that are getting increased exposure.
"It's a credit to Basketball Australia that they're looking to broaden the reach with this live stream.
"We may review [the idea of live streaming games] after this weekend and we see how that goes, but we haven't pursued it formally as yet. We'll definitely consider it."
The Capitals have already won double the number of games they won in a disastrous 2015-16 campaign and can stamp themselves as a rebuilt contender if they beat the Fire.
The Fire have won back-to-back WNBL titles and boast one of the most impressive rosters in the competition, including the league's four-time most valuable player Suzy Batkovic.
While the Fire oozes championship-winning experience, the Capitals have turned to a new generation of players to restore pride in Canberra.
Coach Paul Goriss managed to snatch point guard Kate Gaze from the Fire to be one of the leaders of his new-look team.
Goriss and Gaze teamed up at the AIS before reuniting at the Capitals this season.
Gaze played in the Fire's titles in 2014-15 and 2015-16 as a role-player from the bench, but she is keen to leave a bigger mark on the Capitals.
"Obviously you want to do well against your old club and show you've made the right decision," Gaze said.
"But I'm just more excited than anything to get out there and play. With the team we've got, it's pretty exciting and Townsville aren't quite back to where they were yet.
"They've got a core group of phenomenal players and people, hopefully they're still not at their peak against us on Saturday night."
The battle between former Capital Batkovic and Marianna Tolo will have a major influence on the result, but Goriss said Canberra needed to avoid being caught in one-on-one battles.
"There's no greater challenge than playing the dual MVP and the dual reigning champion," Goriss said.
"Suzy is a tough match up and I think a future hall of famer. I think [Batkovic v Tolo] will be the match-up of the game, but they've got so many other strings to their bow and that's why they're champions."
WNBL ROUND SEVEN
Saturday: Canberra Capitals v Townsville Fire at Tuggeranong Stadium, 7pm. Tickets available at the door.
