The 27 May event was a teaser to the FIBA Women's World Cup being held in Sydney from 22 September - 1 October 2022.
Attending the friendly match Claire Braund, Executive Director of Women on Boards, met Basketball Australia's Head of Women in Basketball and WOB member Lauren Jackson AO OLY.
As reported by Women on Boards last year, Australian basketball legend Jackson took on the new strategic role with Basketball Australia in September with gender equality in the sport her main focus.
Also on the sidelines with Claire were WOB Members, FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup CEO, Melissa King; Basketball NSW Chair Jenny Dean (who was re-elected in May) and Basketball NSW non-executive director, Lisa Yen.
Claire Braund pictured here with WOB Members; (L) Melissa King, CEO at FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, Jenny Dean, Chair Basketball NSW (re-elected in May), Lauren Jackson AO OLY, Head of Women in Basketball at Basketball Australia and Lisa Yen, Non-Executive Director Basketball NSW.
In what was the Opals’ first appearance in front of home fans in a number of years, Australia entertained a vocal Sydney crowd to a six-point victory over Japan, 72-66.
The underdog coming into the three-game friendly series against the Tokyo Olympics silver medalists, the Opals were able to hold Japan to just 66 points, which is a big tick according to co-captain, Tess Madgen.
“We want to be a tough defensive team and we had to do that tonight. To hold Japan to 66 points is really great after that big third quarter that they had,” Madgen said post-game.
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