By Nick Creely
The 2020/21 WNBL season is set to be delayed to late November in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the national women’s basketball league is still expected to get in a full season.
Basketball Australia confirmed last week, in consultation with the WNBL commission, that the season is set to kick off on 20 November, with the grand final series then scheduled to occur between 25 to 31 March 2021.
It’s also been confirmed that the WNBL season will comprise 21 home-and-away games per team, with the finals series to begin in mid-March and conclude by the end of March.
The decision by Basketball Australia to delay the season was made to align with the expected state and federal government Covid-19 restrictions in regards to a return to play for elite sport and public movement between states and territories.
Basketball Australia has also planned on a scenario where games can be played without fans in attendance until at least Christmas, due to limits on mass gatherings.
Basketball Australia head of women basketball Lauren Jackson said it was important to communicate to the clubs and league about how best to operate as times continually change.
“To enable the league and clubs to operate their businesses accordingly and to give fans and broadcasters clarity over the new season, we are prepared to start the 2020-21 Chemist Warehouse WNBL season without fans should current Covid-19 restrictions on mass gatherings remain in place,” she said.
“Should restrictions ease over the coming months, we will adapt accordingly with the view to our passionate members and fans being able to attend games when it’s safe and viable to do so.”
While there is still uncertainty surrounding mass gatherings, Jackson said it was vital that they ensured a stable season structure and don’t reduce the current minimum player payment for Australian athletes.
“Women’s professional sport in Australia has taken giant leaps forward over recent years and it’s extremely important to Basketball Australia that the WNBL doesn’t regress during these times of global adversity – in fact we want the opposite to occur,” explained Jackson.
“Australia is the envy of the basketball world for the quality of talent we produce both on and off the court.
“With an eye on the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Sydney, having a strong domestic league while providing opportunities for our current and emerging talent is our priority.
“Basketball Australia and the WNBL Commission are considering other initiatives to further support the league and teams during these unprecedented times, while ensuring the integrity of Australia’s longest-running elite women’s sporting competition is not compromised.”
Basketball Australia has also confirmed that an end-of-season WNBL awards dinner will take place in March, with the city and venue to be announced at a later date.
Broadcast details and the fixture for the 2020-21 Chemist Warehouse WNBL Season are also set to be released in due course.
