WNBL makes return after nearly a year away

The Women's National Basketball League starts its 2021-22 season this weekend after 349 days without action.

The 42nd season of the WNBL starts on Saturday, December 4, 2021. The league's new campaign follows a season of ups and downs for Australian women's basketball.

Women's National Basketball League 2021-22

42nd season of the Women's National Basketball League first established in 1981.
Southside Flyers enter this campaign as reigning champions.
Season will consist of an 84-fixtures available on ABC, Fox Sports and Kayo.

Further WNBL information can be found on their website.

Unlike the 2020 season, which consisted of a six-week condensed calendar due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021-22 season returns to a home-and-away calendar with semi and a grand final series.

The season follows a year of ups and downs for Australian women's basketball, one that saw the Opals finish in their lowest position at the Olympic Games since the WNBL was established but concluded with the national team winning bronze in October at the FIBA Asia Cup.

This WNBL season will include a number of the Opals in that squad. Several WNBA players are also joining WNBL teams. The Canberra Capitals have signed WNBA all star Brittney Sykes, Adelaide United acquired former WNBA first round draft pick Alanna Smith while Bendigo have WNBA veteran Leilani Smith to name a few.

What is most exciting though is that the league is filled with younger talent, a number of whom won Bronze with Australia two months ago. Moreover, Bendigo Spirit and Southside Flyers have all-Aussie teams. The league also boast a 100% vaccination rate against COVID-19.

The WNBL has signed an extensive broadcasting agreement with the ABC, Fox Sports and Kayo. With a schedule which runs until April, this season has a lot to offer for Aussie basketball fans including two games in the opening weekend.

The Southside Flyers will face the Bendigo Spirt at 5:00 PM AEDT on Saturday, December 4, 2021 followed by a Sydney University Flames versus University of Canberra Capitals match on Sunday, December 5, 2021.