25.09.2008 – Graham Croker
Athens Olympic silver medallist Alicia Poto will lead the Acuvue Sydney University Flames in their 2008-09 Women’s National Basketball League campaign.
Poto, a BEd student at the University, just missed out on the 14-woman Beijing Olympic squad, but trained with the Opals during the Olympic selection campaign and is in peak condition for the opening WNBL match, against Adelaide Link at the Sydney University Sports and Aquatic Centre at 8pm on Friday, October 3.
She is one of four senior players in the Flames roster, along with Eva Afeaki, a BEc/Social Science student, import Lindsey Plumer, a UCLA graduate, and Rhonda Price, another import from Georgia, Atlanta.
Other members of the 2008-09 roster are: Kristen Barnes (BCom), Jamee Kennedy ((BEd), Rachel Whatman (BArts/Science), Nikita Martin (AIS graduate enrolling at Sydney University next semester), Molly Lewis (ACPE next semester), Keira Shiels (BChemEng/Comm), Sally Potocki (Hospitality Management), Rachel Herrick and Erin Lorenzini.
The players and team sponsors were introduced at the season launch, held at Rydges Camperdown on Wednesday night.
Also introduced was coach Karen Dalton, who said that although the Flames are in a rebuilding stage, they will still be a force in the competition.
“The structure of the competition has changed with the loss of Christchurch, who pulled out at the last minute,” she said. “But we have Logan, from Brisbane, taking their place and that’s good for the League.
“We’ll be playing some teams three times and others twice – it’s a tough draw.”
Dalton said Canberra will be the team to beat. “They’ve only lost one player and picked up three,” she said. They have a very experienced team.”
She said Adelaide could be a surprise packet. “No one has seen them this season,” she said. “They haven’t contested any pre-season games against other team in the League.
“Bulleen are always strong and finish in the top four, and Townsville also have an experienced line-up.”
Dalton said the Flames have set a goal of finishing in the top four. “If we can pick up a couple of wins at the start of the year, we’ll be tough in the latter half of the season,” she said.
- The Acuvue Sydney University Flames will be holding a Silver Jubilee Luncheon at the WatersEdge Restaurant on Thursday, December 4. For bookings or further information contact: Trish Fallon on 9351 8100 or fax 9351 4962.
- For Season Passes to Flames games for 2008-09, contact 9351 4978 or fax 9351 4962.
