By JARROD POTTER
A NEW generation of south-east basketball talent stepped on court Wednesday to try and secure an elusive place in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL).
Dandenong Rangers held an open tryout on Wednesday for its Development Squad as players from Warragul to Warrandyte and beyond descended on the Stud Road courts to test their mettle.
The Rangers have blooded a plethora of south-easterners in recent years with Rachel Antoniadou (Ripplebrook), Bree Whatman (Beaconsfield), Tenaya Phillips (Narre Warren South) and Carley Mijovic (Narre Warren) all rising through the ranks before their WNBL opportunities eventuated.
This year’s squad in particular is jam-packed with local talent Endeavour Hills tandem Aimie Clydesdale and Steph Cumming also set to dictate the Dandenong backcourt.
With plenty of spots available in the development ranks, Dandenong Rangers coach Larissa Anderson said it was a fantastic showing of what’s available in the future of the competition.
“It was a great tryout – there were some great kids there that we were doing an amazing job,” Anderson said.
“A few of the under-16s put their hands up and right through there were some great guards going at it through under-18s and development – it’s a real mix.”
While Dandenong has the luxury of promoting players from the start of their junior careers all the way up to the peak of national competition, Anderson acknowledged the importance of promoting opportunities to other clubs without that set-up.
“For us, being one of the only clubs in the whole country that can offer juniors a pathway all the way up to the national league – we’re blessed that we have a lot of Dandenong youth coming through and that will always be a priority for that youth to come through,” Anderson said.
“But I think it’s really important to open up the door for other clubs who don’t have that WNBL club coming through, so to have that mixed talent coming through was great.”
Anderson was uncertain about how big the development squad would be, but believed it could be around 15-20 – allowing a bigger opportunity for players to get involved and potentially earn a spot on the main WNBL roster.
“We’re going to hold a second try out in a week or so – to cut down the list and give a few of the girls who weren’t able to get there a second go as there were so many that weren’t able to get there,” Anderson said.
“Who knows – there’s absolutely some talent there – they’ve got a bit of work to compete with the talent signing up and ready to go nationally, but that’s the point.
“You still look at them and see the talent and see potential is there.”
Dandenong’s second tryout is yet to be confirmed but for more information on securing a place in it, contact the Dandenong Basketball Association via Robyn Houghton at houghton@bigpond.net.au
