Last week’s start to the 2009 Central ABL season signalled an influx of talent, both on and off the court.

This year’s season, the first in eleven years in which the league will run in a “standalone” format, will feature at least six WNBL players, six NBL players and three imports.

In the men’s league, Jacob Holmes and Darren Ng will add to a solid foundation at Sturt. 36er Holmes will join the Sabres midway through the season and play his first Central ABL game since winning a title with Eastern in 2004. Ng, who played most recently in Singapore, returns to the team with which he won the Woollacott medal in 2006.

Fresh from a solid NBL season, Brad Hill should complete his first full season with Eastern since 2006. In addition, his Adelaide 36ers teammates Erik Burdon, Ryan Kersten and Peter Hoban will suit with North, West and Forestville respectively.

Norwood has resigned 2007/8 Adelaide Lightning MVP Jess Foley and also added Rebecca Duke and Amanda Williams to a team which made the 2008 preliminary final.

Lightning captain Sam Woosnam returns as player/coach of West Adelaide and will be hoping the Bearcats can recapture their premiership form of 2007. Mia Newley returns to Forestville after her first season with the Lightning and Monique Bowley will again play for Sturt.

Changes to Basketball Australia’s relationship with the department of immigration have opened the door for teams to sponsor foreign players and Southern and Central Districts showcased new men’s imports in round 1. American John Morris, who joined the Tigers via Warrnambool, had 19 points and 12 rebounds in 41 minutes in his Central ABL debut, and Canadian Oliver Prince had 11 points in 21 minutes for Centrals. Another Canadian, Cassandra Carpenter, suited for South’s women’s team, and had 19 points and 14 rebounds on debut.

This year’s league features five coaching changes, although Tracy York (North Adelaide men), Simon Pritchard (Norwood women) and Alan Lee (Sturt women) are all successful veterans of Central ABL action. York coached Woodville’s men to a premiership in 2004, Simon Pritchard led Southern’s men to a flag in 1999 and Lee’s Sabres progressed to preliminary finals in 2004 and 2005.

In late 2008, Basketball SA, in conjunction with the Central ABL’s participating clubs, made the decision to withdraw from the Australian Club Championships (formerly known as the ABA national finals). This decision was based partly on the inequity of standard between the leagues and partly due to the prohibitive cost associated with participation. The league will continue to be known as the Central ABL in 2009, with future participation in a national league and local branding to be reviewed later this year.

Maybe it’s the new recruits or perhaps it’s the increased junior presence. Either way round 1 attendance figures were positive and this week, Woodville, Southern, Sturt, West and Forestville will have their first opportunity to impress at home, and propel themselves towards a Central ABL premiership.