Southern Design Sydney Uni Flames star Katie-Rae Ebzery and new recruit Renae Camino will have the opportunity to stake their claim for Australian senior women’s basketball selection after both girls were selected to attend a six day Australian Opals and Emerging Opals Camp.
The camp, which began on Sunday at Basketball Australia’s National Centre of Excellence at the AIS in Canberra, will see 34 of the country’s best basketballers assemble, train and establish vital team values and culture for the next four years under the tutelage of newly appointed Head Coach Brendan Joyce.
At the conclusion of the camp, teams will be selected to attend both the Opals upcoming tour of China and the World University Games in Russia.
Flames Head Coach Karen Dalton was pleased with the selection of Flames guard, Ebzery, and new addition to the squad for the 2013/14 WNBL season, Camino.
“I’m really excited for Katie,” explained Dalton of Ebzery, who won bronze with the Australian women’s basketball team in last year’s inaugural FIBA 3X3 World Championship in Athens.
“Katie has made some major developments in her game over the past 12 months. I’m really looking forward to seeing how she performs at the camp, but I’m sure she will do really well.”
Ebzery, a SUSF Elite Athlete Program (EAP) scholarship holder studying a Bachelor of Education (Secondary: Human Movement & Health Education) at the University of Sydney, has played three seasons with the Flames. Last season Ebzery averaged 13.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
Dalton was equally excited with the selection of Camino.
“It’s a great opportunity for Renae to be part of the squad,” said Dalton. “She’s having a good season for Bendigo in the SEABL and it will be great experience for her to go to another Opals camp. I’m really looking forward to working with her in the next WNBL season.”
The Flames signed the experienced scoring guard from last year’s WNBL Championship winners the Bendigo Spirit. Camino will link up with the Flames after her commitments end with SEABL team the Bendigo Lady Braves.
The Opals and Emerging Opals Camp will be held from 2-7 June at 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.
In the coming months the Flames will be announcing some exciting new signings. Keep up to date with these by following the Flames on Twitter ‘@SydUniFlames’ or liking them on Facebook by searching ‘Sydney Uni Flames WNBL’.
