WNBL team the Bendigo Spirit have confirmed they will play two games at the Mildura Sporting Precinct (MSP) in the coming months, adding to the venue’s blockbuster event schedule this year.
The Spirit will play a pre-season exhibition against the Sunraysia Petroleum CBL Heat Men on October 8, followed by a match against Adelaide Lightning for WNBL premiership points two months later on December 10.
Bendigo Spirit will also be hosting a number of community events ahead of the game on December 10.
Leisure and Events Councilor Mark Eckel said the two games would further strengthen MSP’s position as one of Australia’s premier regional sporting venues.
“There aren’t too many regional centers in Australia that could boast of visiting two national sporting codes and an international rock band in the space of a few weeks, but that’s what Mildura Sporting Precinct delivers to our region,” Cr Eckel said.
He said the Bendigo Spirit’s two visits would not only generate excitement within the thriving local basketball community, but also introduce MSP to a national audience via live television coverage.
“For our community, and especially local basketball players, watching the biggest names in their sport play live in their own city, as well as meeting the players while they are here, is something they will long remember,” , said Cr Eckel.
“From a marketing perspective, broadcasting the December 10 game live nationwide will show what our region and industry have to offer in terms of successfully hosting national-caliber sporting events.
“This will build on Channel 7’s live TV coverage of the AFLW match in October.”
Bendigo Spirit head coach Kennedy Kereama said he and his team are looking forward to bringing basketball to WNBL standards in the Mildura area.
“A large contingent of our player pool are regional players from Victoria, so getting out is a major focus for us from that perspective,” Mr Kereama said.
“It’s also a big part of growing the brand and bringing the wonderful sport of basketball to this level to other parts of Greater Victoria.” Players really like to take the sport elsewhere and grow the basketball brand.
“I’ve been to Mildura before, it’s a great town and the players are looking forward to getting out into the community, making connections, meeting as many different people as possible and expanding our membership base in the area. of Victoria.”
Mildura Basketball Association Director of Engagement and Development Mahaela Jackson said the upcoming Bendigo Spirit visits represent a great opportunity for the entire basketball community.
“It’s fantastic that the Bendigo Spirit is coming to Mildura. This is not only a great opportunity for our local basketball players to see a team of this caliber in action, but also for our coaches, officials and administrators to see the national level operations and game delivery,” said Ms Jackson. .
“An event like this is also a great opportunity to promote our great sport and build our brand in our region and beyond.
“We look forward to working with the Bendigo spirit over the next few weeks to see what activities may be available for Mildura Basketball and members of the surrounding association throughout the team’s visits to our area.”
Cr Eckel said around 1,000 spectators are expected to attend the Bendigo Spirit vs Adelaide Lightning clash in December. Ticket details, including corporate packages, will be available closer to the date.
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