The Townsville Fire will use this year’s Townsville Tip Off to showcase some of Queensland’s emerging basketball talent, opening the door for local and regional players to experience the WNBL environment.
The Fire will head into the pre-season tournament with a significantly different line-up, with a number of rostered players unavailable due to national team commitments.
Alex Fowler, Marie Gülich and Miela Sowah will all miss Tip Off while representing their respective national programs, while Development Player Catelyn Van Es will also be unavailable due to Australian junior 3x3 duties.
New signing Emma Clarke will also miss the pre-season games as she continues her rehabilitation from an injury sustained at the Commonwealth Games.
Rather than simply filling the gaps, the Fire will use the opportunity to invest in Queensland talent and provide emerging players with direct exposure to a professional basketball environment.
Already boasting a roster made up of 60 per cent Queensland talent, the Fire will welcome Mackay junior Eden Catip and Townsville Flames’ Chailee Ward, alongside a third Queensland junior to be confirmed, into the group for Tip Off.
Head Coach Shannon Seebohm said creating genuine opportunities for Queensland players remains an important part of the club’s role.
“Pathways are a big part of what we do at the Fire and development is something we are genuinely passionate about,” Seebohm said.
“We have always believed there should be a strong connection between our local and regional basketball pathways and the professional team here in North Queensland.
“Tip Off gives us a great opportunity to bring some talented young Queensland players into our environment, have them train and play alongside our WNBL athletes and give them a first-hand experience of what that next level looks like.
“With Brisbane 2032 getting closer, we also recognise the role professional clubs can play in developing the next generation. We want to see Queensland athletes competing at a home Olympic Games, and we want the Fire to play our part in helping create opportunities and pathways that can get them there.”
For Catip, Ward and the yet-to-be-confirmed Queensland junior, the tournament will provide an opportunity not only to take the court but to spend time inside the Fire program alongside established WNBL players and coaches.
Seebohm said while the Fire’s Tip Off line-up will look different to the one that began last year’s pre-season campaign, there was plenty for supporters to be excited about.
“We know Tip Off will look different for us this year. We have some significant players away representing their countries and Emma working her way back from injury, but that creates an opportunity for someone else.
“We’re excited to showcase some of the young talent coming through Queensland and, importantly, welcome them into our environment alongside the Fire players who will suit up.
“Pre-season is about preparing our team for Round 1, but it can also be about creating opportunities. We think we can achieve both at Tip Off.”
The Townsville Tip Off will form an important part of the Fire’s preparations for WNBL27, while providing the next wave of Queensland talent with an opportunity to experience professional basketball on their doorstep.
