Head coach of the Jayco Opals Carrie Graf said that the first week of camp saw a number of encouraging signs surrounding the group’s progress, and that she looks forward to moving ahead with a reduced squad into the next week of training.

“Our veteran players really stood up and led by example, setting the standard in terms of intensity,” she said.

“Probably the stand-out at this camp was Suzy Batkovic. She came in focussed and really maximised every moment she had on the floor and really led the way from the post,” she said.

“Kristi Harrower looked dynamic again and her leadership qualities were really big for us and we’re really excited about what those point guards can do as we progress further,” she said.

Also named in the squad was superstar Lauren Jackson and veteran Belinda Snell, along with rising stars Liz Cambage, Jenna O’Hea, Marianna Tolo and Abby Bishop.

Graf also made mention of the performance of some of the more experienced Jayco Opals.

“There are experienced players in this group who have been Olympians before, some who weren’t fortunate enough to make the World Championships in 2010. I was particularly impressed with the job some of those players did coming into this, determined to make a point about their stakes in making this Olympic team,” she said.       

The next phase of the Jayco Australian Opals AIS camp tips off Monday, with the team training right through until Wednesday 30 May, before a reduced squad departs for Europe for a series of matches against a number of European teams, including Russia and the Czech Republic, before the team returns to Australia in time for The Farewell Series, a three-game event against Brazil with games at Hisense Arena, Bendigo Stadium and the new State Basketball Centre in Knox.

“It’s down to a much tighter number and it’s a real opportunity to be developing our chemistry,” she said.

“We have some five-on-five stuff scheduled with the AIS Men’s team coming up, and having our athletes play together is critical to getting the group understanding each other and playing together,” said Graf.    

2012 JAYCO AUSTRALIAN OPALS SQUAD CAMP 2

Suzy BATKOVIC /  192cm  /  Forward/Centre  /  17 Dec, 1980   /  Adelaide Lightning

Abby BISHOP   /  189 cm  /  Forward  /  29 Nov, 1988  /  Adelaide Lightning

Elizabeth CAMBAGE  /  203cm  /  Centre  /  18 Aug, 1991  /  Bulleen Boomers

Kristi HARROWER   /  163cm  /  Guard  /  4 Mar, 1975  /  Bendigo Spirit

Laura HODGES (nee Summerton)  /  188cm  /  Forward  /  13 Dec, 1983  /  Bracco Geas Sesto, Italy

Lauren JACKSON /  195cm  /  Forward/Centre  /  11 May, 1981  /  Ros Casares, Spain

Rachel JARRY /  185cm  /  Forward  /  6 Dec, 1991  /  Bulleen Boomers

Kathleen MACLEOD   /  168cm  /  Guard  /  23 Oct, 1986  /  Dandenong Rangers

Jenna O’HEA /  185cm  /  Guard/Forward  /  6 Jun, 1987  /  Dandenong Rangers

Erin Phillips /  173cm  /  Guard  /  19 May, 1985  /  TS Wisla Can-Pak, Poland

Samantha RICHARDS   /  168cm  /  Guard  /  24 Feb, 1983  /  Bulleen Boomers

Jennifer SCREEN /  180cm  /  Guard  /  26 Feb, 1982  /  Adelaide Lightning

Belinda SNELL   /  180cm  /  Guard/Forward  /  10 Jan, 1981  /  Sydney Uni. Flames

Marianna TOLO   /  196cm  /  Centre  /  2 Jul, 1989  /  Canberra Capitals

Hanna ZAVECZ   /  183cm  /  Guard/Forward  /  21 Aug, 1985  /  Uniqa Euroleasing Sopron, Hungary

Tickets for The Farewell Series: Basketball’s Road to London are now on sale for all games with adults starting from just $25 and children/concession from $15.

For more information on The Farewell Series visit: www.thefarewellseries.com.au.

Farewell Series Schedule

Hisense Arena, Melbourne (Double Header) - Sunday June 24

Jayco Opals v Brazil – Tip Off 4:30PM

Boomers v Greece – Tip Off 7:00PM

Tickets available now through Ticketek

Phone: 132 849

Website: www.ticketek.com.au

State Basketball Centre, Knox - Monday June 25

Boomers v Greece – Tip Off 7:00PM

Tickets available now through Foxtix

Phone: 1300 111 369

Website: www.foxtix.com.au

Bendigo Basketball Stadium -Tuesday June 26

Jayco Opals v Brazil – Tip Off 7:00PM

Tickets available now through Bendigo Stadium

Phone: (03) 5440 6214

Website: www.bendigostadium.com.au

Geelong Arena - Wednesday June 27

Boomers v Greece – Tip Off 7:00PM

Tickets available now through Foxtix

Phone: 1300 111 369

Website: www.foxtix.com.au

State Basketball Centre, Knox - Thursday June 28

Jayco Opals v Brazil – Tip Off 7:00PM

Tickets available now through Foxtix

Phone: 1300 111 369

Website: www.foxtix.com.au