World University Games - Women
Basketball Australia has announced the athletes selected to represent Australia in basketball at the 2009 World Uni Games in July.
The World University Summer Games (WUSG) are held every two years under the banner of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and in 2009 will be held in Belgrade, Serbia from July 1-12.
The women's team contains eight athletes and three coaches from the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL), with the remaining Australian players sourced from American universities.
The Australian women will be coached by Townsville Fire Head Coach Peter Buckle.
Australia is the reigning WUSG Gold Medallist in the women's competition, having defeated Russia in the final of the 2007 event when coached by now-Opals coach Carrie Graf.
The women's team will undergo a training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) from May 18-20.
Australian Universities Women's Basketball Team:
Sarah GRAHAM, Monash University (VIC), WNBL: Logan Thunder
Emma LANGFORD, University of Wyoming (USA)
Amy LEWIS, University of Ballarat (VIC), WNBL: Townsville Fire
Lauren MANSFIELD, Midland Junior College Texas (USA)
Mia NEWLEY, Flinders University (SA), WNBL: Adelaide Lightning
Elyse PENALUNA, Box Hill Tafe (VIC), WNBL: Bulleen Boomers
Chantella PERERA, Deakin University (VIC), WNBL: Canberra Capitals
Sally POTOCKI, Southern Cross University (NSW), WNBL: Sydney Uni Flames
Alyce SHEARING, Troy University (USA)
Kiera SHIELS, University of Sydney (NSW), WNBL: Sydney Uni Flames
Marianna TOLO, University of Canberra (ACT), WNBL: Canberra Capitals
Louella TOMLINSON, St. Marys College of California (USA)
Head Coach: Peter BUCKLE, WNBL: Townsville Fire Head Coach
Asst. Coach: Chris LUCAS, WNBL: Canberra Capitals Assistant Coach
Manager: Kirstie DENCH, WNBL: Bulleen Boomers Assistant Coach
Notes:
* Athletes seeking selection in Basketball must be at least 17 years of age and less than 24 years of age on January 1 in the year of the event as per new FISU regulations and must be proceeding towards a diploma or higher at either an Australian or Overseas University/TAFE or have graduated from a suitable institution in the year prior to the competition (ie: if the Championship is on 1 July 2009, then the student must have graduated after 1 July 2008).
* The WUSG tournament is an integral process in the pathways for Australian athletes. In 2005 the world governing body FIBA decided they would not continue with the U21 age category for World Championships and instead they would elevate the World University Games to the third event in importance on the senior stage for male and female basketball players. Olympics followed by World Championships are the two top events. It has now become a very important part of our underpinning program for the Boomers and Opals.
About the WUG
The World University Summer Games are held every two years under the patronage of the International University Sport Federation (FISU) and is an official FIBA sanctioned event.
The Australian World University Games Team involves over 150 athletes and officials participating across 15 sports.
The 2009 FISU World University Games are being held in Belgrade from July 1 - 12, 2009.
