The season is approaching fast and, naturally, there remains further work to do for our Sixty 30 Joondalup City Wolves WSBL team.

Pre-season has been underway since late last year, our numbers have been strong and pleasing, with the Under 18 girls completing their first pre-season with our SBL roster.

The application and improvement of that group has been solid and I have no doubt that there are few players that will move into the SBL program over the next year or two with continued hard work. This is a great sign, and illustrates the importance, and genuine link, between the WABL and SBL programs at this great Basketball club.

Recognition and appreciation must go to Under 18 Coach Andrew DOE, his drive to improve and make his group better has been outstanding and I thank him personally for his application. 

Like all teams, we have experienced a few hiccups and there are some challenges that lie ahead. We appear to be getting over some injury niggles and our fitness has improved gradually.

We are currently on court working hard on our skill sets and piecing together the way we want to play as a group.

With the pre-season tournament in sight we will look to add the final pieces of the puzzle that will allow us to be a competitive team within this league again.

From the athlete standpoint, we shortly welcome All-Star Klara WISCHER back to the group, and her second season at this level is expected to deliver further gains for our club. 

Skipper Shani AMOS excelled in her first season in charge, and she will be further buoyed in 2017 by the re-introduction of Kelli HAYWARD to the Wolfpack roster, following some time and impressive Basketball with the Gold Coast Rollers in QLD. Her on court leadership is renown and will further balance the group.

Nikita MARTIN and ELLYCE IRONMONGER are tracking really well and they are just professional and drive standards amongst themselves and their teammates. 

The rookie brigade continue to work hard at their respective games, led by young star Chelsea BELCHER who is a SBL 250-gamer in the making. Her progression continues and we expect more quality minutes from her as she continues to build confidence and capability against the State's best in this league. 

Another young talent that many Wolfpack members are taking notice of is Kiwi Shanice SWAIN. She simply tranisitoned into the ladder leading roster last year superbly, and hasn't looked back since. She is fit and firing and is one to watch closely for further rapid improvement as her confidence and minutes build.  

Watch this space for some further youth talent making the transition to Wolfpack WSBL Basketball. They have come to Joondalup as their destination of choice, and will be rewarded. 

Finally, congratulations is extended to Perth Lynx and WSBL star Sami WHITCOMB who we know has been picked up by the Seattle Storm in the WNBA. This is a fantastic outcome for her, for this league, and for our young players who competed against her last year, knowing what the level truly is, and that such pathways exist for the very best Basketball ability and attitude. 

 

Coach FRIDAY