A New Zealand international is the first of several key signings announced by Sunbury Jets for their women’s basketball side.
The Jets announced last week that Tall Ferns’ Olympic hopeful Jess Bygate would play for the division 1 side this year.
The forward-centre said playing for her national coach, Kennedy Kereama, who is also the Jets’ women’s coach, was too good an offer to refuse.
“It’s a no-brainer really,” Bygate said of playing for the Jets. “It’s a perfect opportunity to develop and grow as a player and I certainly want to help Kennedy, the team and the club take this program to the next level.
“I’m looking forward to getting around the junior Jets program and getting our season under way.”
Bygate, who last played for New Zealand in the Olympic qualifiers against Australia last year, has spent the summer playing in Australia’s premier women’s competition, the WNBL.
Her first WNBL season has been with Adelaide Lightning, where she averages 3.2 points and 1.9 rebounds per game, including being in the starting five on several occasions.
Kereama says Bygate, who has also attended college in America, will provide a real presence in the paint.
“She will play a vital role with the women’s team this season,” he said.
“Jess has a brilliant work ethic, is a skilled rebounder and defender, and has a solid balance of perimeter and post skills.
“I think having a WNBL player and potential Olympian join our program is a huge boost for the club and community.”
Bygate is the first new signing for what is expected to be a strong-looking Jets team this season. Meanwhile, several of last year’s squad have been re-signed.
Leanne Urbon, Kayla Theodore and Genevieve McCorkell all return to the team, while there’s also to be a large focus on youth.
Four members of last year’s Jets youth women’s division 2 grand final side – Naomi Stevens, Sarah Lampard, Sophie O’Brien and Alex Darby – will all play in the senior team. Tess Phelan, who played youth league with Keilor Thunder last season, also joins the Jets.
