I would be interested to know what happened yesterday between the time of the original announcement of 34 players and when that was then revised to 35 players last year.
The 35th player included - Blicavs

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/basketball/new-coach-brendan-joyce-names-35-players-in-opals-squad/story-fni2u9cl-1226654059172


regarding the omissions of Smith & Wilson, need to remember that Smith was injured for majority of the last WNBL season and she hasn't started running yet - so would question her availability for the upcoming series. Here is a story from yesterday with an update of what Smith is currently up to:

http://www.basketball.net.au/index.php?id=302&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=2909&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1&cHash=cf181e16b1

As for Wilson - who knows what the reason is there; she didn't have her best season over summer and maybe they thought there were better options.

I find it very interesting that Donnelly can't make the Gems U-19 Team for International Tours (China & France) but can be selected in this Opals Camp. How does that work?

that makes things very interesting - do they now have to call up a player and explain that due to a printing error they haven't made a squad or do they increase the numbers to 36.

Seems someone screwed up somewhere - just wonder whom???

Here is the story & list from the SEABL site - Blicavs but no Langford (when I first read this story yesterday evening, Blicavs wasn't on the list at that stage - so maybe she was a last minute addition to replace Langford or someone else??)

No fewer than 12 currently active SEABL Players have been chosen for the Opals squad in preparation for the Opals tour of China and the World University Games.

TAKEN FROM BASKETBALL AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE

The Jayco Australian Opals will team up with emerging Opals this weekend when they head into their first training camp under the tutelage of newly appointed Head Coach Brendan Joyce.

The 34-member squad will assemble at Basketball Australia's National Centre of Excellence at the AIS in Canberra from Sunday, from where teams will be selected to attend both the Opals upcoming tour of China and the World University Games in Russia.

The camp will boast senior Opals including London Olympics Captain and Opening Ceremony Flag-bearer Lauren Jackson and fellow Olympians Kristi Harrower and Belinda Snell - as well as a large group of up and coming talent on the cusp of making the national team.

With five members of the senior squad currently playing in the Women’s National Basketball Association in the United States, Joyce said the opportunity for younger players to step up and be noticed at the camp was not to be underestimated.

"It’s the first opportunity for us to identify potential Opals and from this camp we will select a team to go to China, which means these younger girls are going to have the experience of playing international basketball at a senior level," Joyce said.

“A lot of our senior players won’t be going to China so this camp is a real opportunity for these younger emerging players to show us what they’ve got to offer.”

The Opals and Emerging Opals Camp will be held from 2-7 June at Basketball Australia’s National Centre of Excellence at the AIS in Canberra.

The Opals will tour China from 16-24 June 2013, and the World University Games will be held in Russia from 6-17 July 2013.



Jayco Opals and Emerging Opals Camp attendees are:

Name / Height / Position / DOB / Club

Active SEABL Players appear in bold:



Suzy Batkovic * / 192cm / Centre / 17 December 1980 / Townsville Fire (WNBL)

Abby Bishop * / 189cm / Centre / 29 November 1998 / Canberra Capitals (WNBL)

Sara Blicavs / 188cm / Forward / Dandenong Rangers (WNBL)

Alex Bunton / 195cm / Centre / 13 October 1993 / Canberra Capitals Academy (SEABL)

Natalie Burton / 194cm / Centre / 23 March 1989 / West Coast Waves (WNBL)

Renae Camino / 177cm / Guard / 19 November 1986 / Sydney Uni Flames (WNBL)

Stephanie Cumming / 178cm / Guard / 26 July 1990 / Townsville Fire (WNBL)

Tegan Cunningham 186cm / Forward / 23 January 1988 / Dandenong Rangers (WNBL)

Mikhaela Donnelly / 173cm / Guard / 30 April 1994 / Logan Thunder (WNBL)

Katie-Rae Ebzery / 178cm / Guard / 8 January 1990 / Sydney Uni Flames (WNBL)

Rachael Flanagan / 169cm / Guard / 5 April 1982 / Townsville Fire (WNBL)

Cayla Francis / 192cm / Centre / 1 May 1989 / Nantes, France

Kate Gaze / 173cm / Guard / 18 February 1990 / Saint Mary's College (USA)

Kristi Harrower * / 163cm / Guard / 4 March 1975 / Bendigo Spirit (WNBL)

Laura Hodges * / 188cam / Forward / 13 December 1983 / Adelaide Lightning (WNBL)

Natalie Hurst / 163cm / Guard/ 8 April 1983 / Canberra Capitals (WNBL)

Lauren Jackson * 195cm/ Forward/Centre/ 11 May 1981/ Canberra Capitals (WNBL)

Alice Kunek / 187cm / Guard/Forward/ 6 January 1981 / Dandenong Rangers (WNBL)

Tessa Lavey / 170cm / Guard / 29 March 1993 (Canberra Capitals (WNBL)

Amy Lewis / 177cm / Guard / 14 May 1986 / Adelaide Lightning (WNBL)

Tess Madgen / 180cam / Guard/Forward / 12 August 1990 / Bulleen Boomers (WNBL)

Lauren Mansfield / 170cm / Guard / 18 December 1989 / Adelaide Lightning (WNBL)

Kathleen Macleod * / 168cm / Guard / 23 October 1986 / Dandenong Rangers (WNBL)

Mia Newley / 184cm / Guard / 4 August 1988 / Townsville Fire (WNBL)

Elyse Penaluna * / 198cm / Forward / 23 April 1988 / Bendigo Spirit (WNBL)

Gabrielle Richards / 188cm / Centre / 19 November 1984 / Bendigo Spirit (WNBL)

Samantha Richards * / 170cm / Guard / 24 February 1983 / Free Agent

Jenni Screen / 180cm / Forward / 24 February 1983 / Adelaide Lightning (WNBL)

Nicole Seekamp / 178cm / Guard / 26 April 1982 / University of South Dakota, USA

Belinda Snell / 180cm / Forward / 10 January 1981 / CCC Polkowice (Poland)

Olivia Thompson / 187cm / Forward / 20 January 1983 / Townsville Fire (WNBL)

Marianna Tolo / 196cm / Centre / 2 July 1989 / Aix en Provence, France

Kristen Veal * 176 cm / Guard / 24 Jul, 1981 / Logan Thunder (WNBL)

Kelly Wilson / 170cm / Guard / 1st January 1985 / Bendigo Spirit (WNBL)

Hanna Zavecz / 183cm / Guard/Forward/ 21 August 1985 / Logan Thunder (WNBL)

Note: * indicates player who has been invited but attendance is dependent on medical clearance.

I believe Sara Blicavs originally turned down offer to go to Uni games, may have changed her mind when found out Joyce would be in charge.

Its an open slather camp people. DOnt read anything into it as far as selections go.

Foley retired - didn't she start a medical degree or something which is why she announced her retirement.

lo 84 - the article from the SEABL site says its taken from the BA media release, so I don't think they have personally added in any names; seems someone didn't update something somewhere along the lines maybe.

Thompson struggled in WNBL, Talbot was pretty good for lightning so why is she not on list. Alex Wilson is another. Is Blicavs on list or not.

Wilson and Talbot like Mijovic have Gems.

What about Taylor Roberts, she was in the same group as Blicavs Thompson and Tippett. She seems to have fallen off the radar

There are always ways around these things - quote!

Any news on selections yet??

Olympians headline Opals tour of China

2012 London Olympians Jenni Screen and Belinda Snell headline the Jayco Australian Opals squad named for the upcoming three-game tour of China later this month.

Newly-appointed Opals Head Coach Brendan Joyce has named a team brimming with international experience and exciting young talent as he begins the journey to the 2014 FIBA Women's World Championship in Turkey.

Arguably the most exciting addition to the team is the elevation of Sara Blicavs to the senior squad for the first time.

Fresh from signing for the Bendigo Spirit for the upcoming WNBL season, the 20-year-old is regarded as one of the best talents coming through the ranks, excelling in her time at the AIS and last season with the Dandenong Rangers.

The Opals will come up against familiar faces, with some of the most successful names from Australia now leading the Chinese team.

"Tom Maher (legendary Opals and WNBL coach) has just been appointed Head Coach and Michele Timms is his Assistant Coach," Joyce said.

“Knowing Tom and Michele, the Chinese team will be really well prepared and positioned, and on top of the Chinese culture they will leave no stone unturned and be a well-oiled machine.

“In saying that, this is an opportunity for a lot of our younger players to genuinely mix it up against the best.”

Joyce has called upon eight players with Opals experience, led by Adelaide Lighting star Screen and Snell, fresh from claiming the Polish title with CCC Polkowice.

Frontcourt duo Marianna Tolo and Cayla Francis return from a successful first season in France for the tour, with Canberra Capitals key off-season signing,
Natalie Hurst also returning to the national team fold.

Veteran Kristen Veal join Tess Madgen and Renae Camino in the final 12, with three players set to join Blicavs in making their international debuts.

West Coast Waves centre Natalie Burton turned heads during her rookie WNBL season, while Tegan Cunningham earns a call-up after another strong season with the Dandenong Rangers.

The bolter of the squad is Bendigo Spirit guard Kelly Wilson, who played a pivotal role in helping the Spirit claim their first WNBL Championship - translating that form into her first Opals call-up.

The tour of China will also see the Jayco Emerging Australian Opals in action, with Coach Chris Lucas (Townsville Fire Head Coach) naming a 12-player team to take part in a four-nation tournament in China.

The Opals face China in a three-game series, with games on the 19th, 21st and 23rd of June, while the Emerging Opals with compete in a four-nation tournament against an emerging China team, Hungary’s and the USA’s World University Games teams.

Sporting an average age of less than 22, the Emerging Opals have a strong view to the future, with nine of the 12 players currently plying their trade in the WNBL.

Headlining the squad is a host of already well-known WNBL talents, including Townsville Fire duo Stephanie Cumming and Olivia Thompson, Sydney Uni Flames star Katie-Rae Ebzery and Adelaide guard Amy Lewis.

After a breakout season with the Logan Thunder that saw her finish in the top 10 in scoring, 24-year-old Emma Langford has been rewarded with a place in the Emerging Opals team.

For the latest news on the Jayco Australia Opals and Emerging Australian Opals tour of China be sure to visit the Basketball Australia website: www.basketball.net.au.

Jayco Australian Opals Team – 2013 Tour of China (16-24 June)

Name / Height / Position / DOB / Club
Sara Blicavs / 188cm / Forward / 15 Feb 1993 / Bendigo Spirit (WNBL)
Natalie Burton / 194cm / Centre / 23 Mar 1989 / West Coast Waves (WNBL)
Renae Camino / 177cm / Guard / 19 Nov 1986 / Sydney Uni Flames (WNBL)
Tegan Cunningham / 186cm / Forward / 23 Jan 1988 / Logan Thunder (WNBL)
Cayla Francis / 192cm / Forward-Centre / 1 May 1989 / Aix-en-Provence (France)
Natalie Hurst / 163cm / Guard / 8 Apr 1983 / Canberra Capitals (WNBL)
Tess Madgen / 180cm / Guard / 12 August 1990 / Bulleen Boomers (WNBL)
Jenni Screen / 180cm / Guard-Forward / 26 Feb 1982 / Adelaide Lightning (WNBL)
Belinda Snell / 180cm / Guard / 10 January 1981 / CCC Polkowice (Poland)
Marianna Tolo / 196cm / Forward-Centre / 2 July 1989 / Aix-ene-Provence (France)
Kristen Veal / 176cm / Guard / 24 July 1981 / Logan Thunder (WNBL)
Kelly Wilson / 170cm / Guard / 1 January 1985 / Bendigo Spirit (WNBL)

Jayco Emerging Australian Opals Team – 2013 China Four-Nation Tournament (15-27 June)

Name / Height / Position / DOB / Club
Stephanie Cumming / 178cm / Guard / 26 July 1990 / Townsville Fire (WNBL)
Mikhaela Donnelly / 173cm / Guard / 30 Apr 1994 / Logan Thunder (WNBL)
Katie-Rae Ebzery / 178cm / Guard / 8 January 1990 / Sydney Uni Flames (WNBL)
Rosie Fadljevic / 183cm / Forward / 17 Sep 1993 / Dandenong Rangers (WNBL)
Kate Gaze / 173cm / Guard / 18 Feb 1990 / Saint Mary’s College (USA)
Emma Langford / 187cm / Forward / 29 Jan 1989 / Logan Thunder (WNBL)
Tessa Lavey / 170cm / Guard / 29 Mar 1993 / Bendigo Spirit (WNBL)
Amy Lewis / 177cm / Guard / 14 May 1986 / Adelaide Lightning (WNBL)
Lauren Mansfield / 170cm / Guard / 18 Dec 1989 / Adelaide Lightning (WNBL)
Nicole Seekamp / 178cm / Guard / 26 Apr 1992 / University of South Dakota (USA)
Alex Sheedy / 186cm / Forward / 17 Nov 1992 / Fresno State University (USA)
Olivia Thompson / 187cm / Forward / 20 Jan 1993 / Townsville Fire (WNBL)

maybe they are trying to broaden the group who have Opals experience during tournaments such as these, so that younger or new players have experience at international level before it gets to bigger & more important tournaments.
Not much point in always selecting from the same pool of 12 - 15 for every tournament as we will need to refresh our international players at some stage. Hopefully some of them can perform really well during this tour and put pressure on our regular players before the Oceania Championships, but would expect to see a more than a few changes before we take on NZ.

1 question I have with the emerging Opals is, does that encompass what is essentially our #2 Opals team, or is it mainly for our younger players who are maybe just too old for the Gems side? Looking at that squad, Amy Lewis is 27 - could her spot have been better used by going to someone younger or do they want a level of experience in the squad also?

They have to be kidding!!!! Emerging stars......emerging from the hole some have been hiding in all their lives. Make an U/16 state team selected by your club coach and live on the tag all your life. Do these selectors actually investigate the playing history or simply go on a mythical reputation created by others?

Is Gabe Richards injured? She didn't play the last game for Knox before the camp (Wilson did play) and a photo that the Spirit posted showed Richards wearing a moonboot. Read speculation the injury is plantar fasciitis, and if that is the case she may not be right to play next weekend with the tour starting on the 16th - so they went with 12 players who are currently fit, plus 12 players who were actually able to complete & compete during the training week.