The inaugural She Hoops Cup will bring together Australia's leading emerging female athletes, coaches and officials in a national development experience designed to strengthen pathways for women and girls across basketball.
Delivered through She Hoops in partnership with every State and Territory, the She Hoops Cup reflects a shared commitment to identifying and developing emerging talent while creating meaningful opportunities across playing, coaching, officiating, team management and leadership.
Twenty under-18 athletes from across Australia have been selected to take part in the four-day program, which will culminate in the She Hoops Cup at John Cain Arena on Tuesday 7 July as the curtain raiser to the Australian Opals' international fixture against China.
Participants will train and prepare together throughout the week while gaining exposure to Australia's high-performance environment through dedicated mentoring, performance support and access to current Opals, Gangurrus athletes and national coaches. They will also deliver She Hoops community clinics alongside Opals Assistant Coach Cheryl Chambers, World Cup silver medallist Gangurrus and current Opals squad members, recognising the important role leadership and community connection play in athlete development.
The She Hoops Cup has been intentionally designed to create opportunities beyond the playing group. Emerging coaches, team managers, officials and support staff will take part in the program, with every coaching and support role filled through She Hoops leadership pathways. Australian basketball legends Laura Hodges and Belinda Snell will mentor the coaching group throughout the week, sharing their experience with the next generation of female leaders.
Basketball Australia Head of Women in Basketball Nikita Vogel said the She Hoops Cup demonstrates what can be achieved through a nationally connected approach to developing women in basketball.
"The She Hoops Cup has been built through collaboration with every State and Territory and brings together talented women from across our basketball community in one shared environment," Vogel said.
"Every part of the experience has been designed to support development, whether that's as an athlete, coach, official, team manager or leader. Those experiences, relationships and opportunities strengthen our pathways and help build the future of women's basketball in Australia."
The She Hoops Cup will be played at John Cain Arena on Tuesday 7 July before the Australian Opals take on China. The match will also be streamed live, providing basketball fans across Australia with the opportunity to watch the country's next generation on the national stage.
She Hoops Cup athletes, officials and program staff are listed below.
TEAM MELBOURNE
| Role | Name | State/Territory |
|---|---|---|
| Player | Mya Moke | Queensland |
| Player | Victoria Leuluai | Victoria |
| Player | Hayley De Friskbom | New South Wales |
| Player | Maddison Reisinger | Queensland |
| Player | Jazzy Gordon | New South Wales |
| Player | Molly Lacey | ACT |
| Player | Kirra Munns | Tasmania |
| Player | Jacinta Byrne | Northern Territory |
| Player | Sydney Reemst | South Australia |
| Player | Amani Ah Kit | Victoria |
| Player | Jasmine Chilco-Burns (Injured) | Victoria |
| Head Coach | Shakira Bone | Tasmania |
| Assistant Coach | Sarah Sherwood | Victoria |
| Team Manager | Lily Hughes | Victoria |
| Mentor Coach | Laura Hodges | Victoria |
TEAM MAGBEGOR
| Role | Name | State/Territory |
|---|---|---|
| Player | Ella Duroux | Queensland |
| Player | Willow Smith | Victoria |
| Player | Maddison Kennedy | Northern Territory |
| Player | Awour Deng | ACT |
| Player | Tessa Fagan | New South Wales |
| Player | Emma Rojas | New South Wales |
| Player | Brudee McPherson | Tasmania |
| Player | Porscha Vello | South Australia |
| Player | Eden Catip | Queensland |
| Player | Sienna Eade | Western Australia |
| Head Coach | Tabitha Allen | Queensland |
| Assistant Coach | Isabella McEwen | Victoria |
| Team Manager | Darcie Stephenson | Victoria |
| Mentor Coach | Belinda Snell | Victoria |
GAME OFFICIALS
| Name | State/Territory |
|---|---|
| Sarah Bradbury | Victoria |
| Meaghan Sheehy | Victoria |
| Caitlin Grove | Victoria |
| Amy Vine | Victoria |
| Michelle Nicholas | New South Wales |
| Karen Carmody | Victoria |
| Vivian Hughes | Victoria |
| Caitlin Vine | Victoria |
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