The Australian Senior National Women's Chemist Warehouse Opal squad of 23 is full of depth and includes Victorian Institute of Sport Athletes, Jenna O'Hea and Liz Cambage.
With an uncertainty still surrounding the FIBA Qualification window from 8 November to 16 November 2020, the Opals squad is required to be well prepared. The Opals will continue expectantly through to September, when Basketball Australia will be advised about the status of the qualification events by FIBA.
Australian Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello is excited to extend the squad out to some of the younger talent who have shown extensive potential.
“From November 2020 to end of 2021, we will embark on an intensive schedule in preparation for the Olympics, followed by Asia Cup and Qualifiers. With that in mind, we decided to extend our squad to 23 players” Brondello said.
Whilst this is a squad of 23, it will remain fluid and can be reduced and or increased should an athlete deliver outstanding performances during their competitive season as the Opals work to build their strongest side for the upcoming Olympics in 2021.
“While the Olympics postponement was disappointing but necessary, we are excited as a group to get back together in November and start the process of building our chemistry to become the best team possible for Tokyo and beyond” said Brondello.
To find the full squad, click here
The Australian Rollers squad which consists of three Victorian Institute of Sport athletes (Damon Fent, Jeremy Tyndall, Tristan Knowles) are getting ready for redemption following the 2016 Games in Rio, which saw the green and gold fall short in the quarter-finals.
Australia is one of 12 nations who qualified for the Tokyo Paralympics and stand alongside Korea, Iran and the home nation Japan that come from the Asia Oceania region.
Rollers Head Coach Craig Friday is looking at how the postponement of the Paralympics will benefit the squad and open more opportunity to the athletes.
“I’m really excited that given the postponement of the Paralympics from 2020 to 2021 we get the chance to open the squad up for another year,” Friday said.
The Rollers last won gold at the Paralympics in 2008 and bought home silver in 2004 and 2012.
To find the full squad, click here
