The Canberra Capitals will open the WNBL season against an old rival when the season tips off in December.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Although the 2021-22 season fixtures are yet to be released, but will be "shortly", December 2 has been locked in for a season start date.
The WNBL confirmed the Capitals would face off against the Sydney Uni Flames in round one, although no time, date or location has been provided for the fixture just yet.
One detail is confirmed though. Froling twins, new signing Capitals forward Alicia Froling and Flames forward Keely Froling, will battle it out in round one. Keely signed with the Sydney club in the offseason, after a number of seasons with the Canberra team.
Last year a hub was set up in North Queensland to play out the season but, subject to COVID-19 restrictions, a regular 'home and away' season is proposed for the 2021-22 season.
A full fixture will be released "shortly", the league said, after it announced the December 2 start and a new broadcast deal involving Foxtel, Kayo and the ABC on Friday.
MORE CANBERRA SPORT:
- 'She's the one you want to impress': Mason-Jones links with a name from her past at Canberra
- Queanbeyan club eyes new chapter after historic fine for referee abuse
- Canb Stadium, Manuka to get upgrades but one big venue to miss out
- 'You're a wh---': spectator cornered ref in change room
- Out of retirement: Bunton is back in the WNBL
The ABC and Fox will cover a game each Saturday live at 5pm, and all 84 games will be broadcast on Kayo. In addition, up to two games per week will be broadcast live on Kayo Freebies and one game per week on Kayo YouTube, ensuring accessibility for all viewers.
Former Capitals player, and head of women in basketball, Lauren Jackson AO OLY said the new broadcast deal, covering all of the matches, was a key pillar of Basketball Australia's strategy.
"The WNBL is a priority as we strive to deliver world-class opportunities to women and young girls across playing, coaching, officiating and administrating our sport," she said.
"Women's basketball continues to grow each year with interest at an all-time high and more people playing our sport than ever before.
"We want more girls playing basketball and having global role models playing in a competition on home soil is the key. As we head towards a FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney next year, the WNBL will continue to grow and showcase the best talent in the country."
The Capitals finished third last season and will be looking to recreate their 2019 and 2020 championship form.
Nine players have re-signed ahead of the 2021-22 season, after they lost Marianna Tolo to the French league and Maddi Rocci to Victorian WNBL side Southside Flyers. Co-captain Kelsey Griffin, alongside Britt Smart, Jade Melbourne and Los Angeles Sparks guard Brittney Sykes are among those on the Capitals' roster.
Basketball Australia chief executive officer Matt Scriven said the new broadcast deal was a win for the fans, who were at the heart of every decision they made.
"The fans wanted live games in the premium Saturday 5pm timeslot," he said.
"The quality of the competition at the WNBL is world class, Foxtel, Kayo and ABC have the combined audiences to ensure the games can be watched in every household. The WNBL showcases the best talent in the country, and this broadcast deal ensures all the fans will have access to quality coverage throughout the season."
Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
