Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) action will return to the Mildura Sporting Precinct later this year as part of the precinct’s ongoing partnership with WNBL team the Bendigo Spirit.
Bendigo Spirit will play two games at the venue. The first will be a pre-season match against the Mildura Heat men’s team on 23 September, followed by an in-season match against the Sydney Flames on 10 November.
Councillor for Recreation and Events Mark Eckel said the games followed last year’s successful WNBL debut at the venue.
“Last year’s landmark first ever WNBL appearances in Mildura were a raging success, drawing large crowds to the Mildura Sporting Precinct while inspiring a whole host of new and existing local basketball players,” Cr Eckel said.
“It was great for both the promotion of local basketball and the broader region due to the exposure hosting this calibre of game generates.
“It’s exciting to be able to further build on this momentum later this year while introducing even more people to our region with yet another new team visiting our region in the Sydney Flames.”
Bendigo Spirit General Manager of Operations David Ingham said his players were looking forward to once again hosting WNBL action at the precinct.
“The Bendigo Spirit is thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a WNBL home game in Mildura during the 23/24 WNBL season,” Mr Ingham said.
“Last season’s game against Adelaide in Mildura was not only thrilling but also attracted one of the most enthusiastic crowds of the entire season. The Mildura Sporting Precinct stadium is a fantastic venue, it’s a great environment to play WNBL games.”
As part of the Bendigo Spirit’s pre-season visit the team will host basketball clinics for players and coaches at Mildura Sporting Precinct with full details to be released soon.
Cr Eckel said the fact the in-season game would be televised live was powerful promotion of Mildura’s ability to host national-calibre major sporting events.
“Over the past 12 months we’ve seen some of the biggest sporting and entertainment events ever hosted in our region thanks to the Mildura Sporting Precinct,” he said.
“We’ve shown the rest of the country we can host this calibre of event and this year’s appearances by the Bendigo Spirt, and their clash with the Sydney Flames in particular, only reinforces this message.”
