Moke hopes WNBL hub will fuel teen desires

FORMER WNBL forward Naomi Moke hopes the upcoming North Queensland hub will light a fire under local talented basketballers to pursue their hoops dreams.

The former Townsville Fire and Bulleen Boomer in the WNBL had to move away from the region to pursue her professional basketball career all those years ago.

But now, with 60 WNBL games to be played in North Queensland between November and December, the local coach and mentor for athletes thinks it’s a perfect chance for talented female basketballers to see their heroes in action.

“For the girls, you always need to move away if you want make it at a higher level, whereas the boys have the Taipans here,” Moke ( pictured) said. “Bringing all the WNBL teams up here, a lot of the local girls have no idea about it all and now they are exposed to the high-level players and can see them right in front of them.

“It might light that fire for some of the girls that may have lost it, especially in that teenage age-bracket.

“Even with the Super Netball coming up here recently, for girls in sport, that high level being exposed to kids up here is so exciting.”

The 2020 WNBL season fixture, broadcast details and ticketing information nounced month.

The league has extended squads across the competition to 12 players, which will include two added development players, to help stand up to the rigours of the condensed season.

It is understood teams will be based across the three cities involved. will be anlater this