Isaac
Years ago
Opals name team for tour of China
Opals name new team for Chinese tour
The Australian women's basketball team, the Opals have moved another step closer to a World Championship gold medal, announcing a 12-woman team to tour China at the end of June, which includes Adelaide Fellas (Lightning) player Jenni Screen.
After a four-day camp in Geelong, Victoria over the long weekend, Opals coach Jan Stirling named a team to play China, Russia and the Czech Republic throughout the 11-day tour.
All four teams will be competing in the FIBA World Championship for Women in Brazil this September, and the matches will give the Opals a taste of what to expect if they want to win their first World Championship crown.
The team to tour China includes seven athletes from the Commonwealth Game gold medal winning side.
The Opals fly to China on June 27 and play a four nations tournament in Baoshan, Shanghai. They take on China on June 30, Russia on July 1 and the Czech Republic on July 2.
They then move onto Luoyang and will play another three matches against the teams on July 4, 5 and 6.
The squad will then regroup for a camp in Australia in late July and will leave for an extended tour in late August in the lead up to the World Championship tip off against Lithuania on September 12. The World Championship team will be named in late July.
Opals team for China:
Jacinta Hamilton (Dandenong), Hollie Grima (Bulleen Melbourne), Katrina Hibbert (Bulleen Melbourne), Alicia Poto (Sydney Uni), Renae Camino (Townsville), Deanna Smith (Perth), Kathleen Macleod (Dandenong), Emily McInerny (Dandenong), Emma Randall (Dandenong), Jennifer Screen (Adelaide), Carly Wilson (Dandenong), Jenny Whittle (Canberra).
Staff: Jan Stirling (head coach), Gary Fox (assistant coach), Cheryl Chambers (assistant coach), Amanda Berntsen (physio), Donna O'Connor (fitness), Scott Burne (doctor), Marian Stewart (operations manager, Brad Giersch (referee).
For further media information or interviews contact: Rachel Wolters, Basketball Australia (02) 9469 7218 or 0408 662 027
