Jodie Thornberry and Sophie Heta headline a youthful women's Orange Eagles side set to make history in 2021.
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The first senior women's Eagles line-up has been formed in the Orange Basketball Association's history, one that'll play in a new competition designed to help reinvigorate the sport for women in the Central West.
OBA president Craig Harvey has confirmed Bathurst and Lithgow associations are looked in for the yet-to-be-named competition, while talks are being held to link with Dubbo as well.
He said the Eagles have not fielded a side in the old women's youth league competition previously due to the large commitment needed to play in the league.
It's over 20 weeks of basketball and games are held right across NSW.
Harvey believes this new league will be run on Saturday nights, over the course of four weeks, and give some of the best basketballers in Orange the chance to represent the Eagles, a chance they've not had in the past, all the while not clashing with other sporting commitments throughout winter.
Caitlyn Harvey, Brie Annis-Brown, Brooke Parish, Ainsley Holmes, Samantha Harvey, Erin Holmes and Amelia Holmes make up the rest of the Eagles nine-strong roster, while Rachel Masling, Jayde Buerckner and Jodie Annis-Brown have been added as development players.
It's something I'm passionate about and I'm glad to give the girls a go.
- OBA president Craig Harvey
"I've dreamed of doing this for 10 years," Harvey said.
"Now with my role as president I'm able to ... it's something I'm passionate about and I'm glad to give the girls a go.
"They spend some much of their time training at a high level. A lot of NSW girls go through all the programs and then at the end of 18s there's nowhere to go, and we lose girls from that age.
"I really feel, personally, that the girls deserve this. They're very talented, and I'm fortunate to have coached a few of them."
A panel of three selectors chose the first Orange Eagles' women's side after trials.
Harvey said the likes of Thornberry and Heta, an all star guard while playing for with the Hunters in the Waratah Basketball League, are the obvious duo this young Eagles' line-up will lean on during games.
"Both of those women will be great assets," Harvey said.
"At this stage, we're aiming to be very, very competitive."
- ORANGE EAGLES: Abbey Philpott, Caitlyn Harvey, Jodie Thornberry, Sophie Heta, Brie Annis-Brown, Brooke Parish, Ainsley Holmes, Samantha Harvey, Erin Holmes, Amelia Holmes; Development players; Rachel Masling, Jayde Buerckner, Jodie Annis-Brown.
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Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
