Fire star on Opals radar

Coach keen to run eye over Heal

RISING Townsville Fire guard Shyla Heal will be on Sandy Brondello’s radar for future representative honours when the Opals coach returns to Australia to run her eye over the WNBL bubble in North Queensland.

Brondello is flying home from the US to go into the bubble to survey the talent in preparation for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Cup in Australia.

She plans to arrive in Sydney on November 17 before undertaking a fortnight of hotel quarantine to enter the bubble, basing herself between host cities Cairns and Townsville from December 2 until the end of the season.

Most of the Opals squad are already playing in the WNBL competition, but Brondello is also focused on the future.

She identified Townsville’s 19-year-old sensation Shyla Heal, the daughter of Boomers legend Shane, as a target.

Heal has excelled on the junior stage for Australia, having won two golds, a silver and a bronze medal in the under 16s, 17s and 19s ranks.

“Shyla is a young kid that I’m really excited to see how she handles that big responsibility up in Townsville,” Brondello said.

“She gets to come up against some more established Opals, so the future is bright.

“Our focus is making sure that we have the right players and preparation heading into Tokyo – fingers crossed that will go ahead.

“But there are a few big years coming up with the World Cup in Sydney as well, so you want to make sure that you have your eyes on the upand-coming talent that is coming through.

“We have great depth at the moment and as years go by people retire so we need to know who are the next ones stepping into those shoes.”

After years of watching the WNBL from the US as she coaches the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA, Brondello can’t wait to see the Australian talent up close.

“It will be nice to be in the stands and watch closely from the sideline,” said Brondello, who played for 10 seasons in the WNBL, reaching the playoffs on three occasions and being named league MVP in 1995 with the Brisbane Blazers.

“I’ll get to watch some really good competition, and I’m excited about that.”

“Eighteen of the 23 squad members are playing in the WNBL, so it is a really good chance for me to see the girls in action.

“I’ve always said the WNBL is one of the strongest leagues outside of the WNBA.”