Bendigo Spirit to play two games at Geelong Arena this summer

Geelong will host two WNBL matches in the next few weeks with one franchise keen to expand its relationship with the region.

Elite level basketball will return to Geelong next month with the Bendigo Spirit taking on the Adelaide Lightning in the first of two WNBL matches this summer.

The Spirit will return to the region after the December 15 fixture at the Geelong Arena to play Townsville Fire on January 7.

Spirit general manager of operations Dave Ingham said the franchise was open to playing more games in the region in future seasons.

“We want to be a team for regional Victoria,” Ingham said.

“We love coming down to Geelong, certainly the basketball community got behind us last year.

“Hopefully something positive comes out of it.

Bendigo Spirit player Kelly Wilson searches for the basket against Sara Blicavs of the Southside Flyers at Geelong Arena in February. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

“This is a great way to come out and see some high class action, some Opals will be playing, some future Opals, some future WNBA players.”

It comes after the Spirit played a match against a Southside Flyers outfit in February this year which included former Opal Lauren Jackson, with Bendigo players conducting basketball clinics with local schools in the region.

WNBL basketball dropped off the radar in Geelong for nine years before the Melbourne Boomers played at the arena in early 2017 against the Lightning, following by a game against the Spirit in October.

League head Sally Phillips said at the time she hoped it would be the start of a strong collaboration with the local council.

Meanwhile, Ingham said he would love to see the Geelong Supercats return to the big league in coming seasons, with the NBL vocal about its ambition to expand the competition.

This publication revealed the league had at least inquired with Geelong Council about managing the arena while boss Larry Kestelman had also met with staff.

“I’m sure that Geelong would love to see any top class basketball,” Ingham said.

Blicavs warms up before the Spirit v Flyers match at Geelong Arena in February. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

“They’ve obviously had a very successful NBL1 program for both men’s and women’s for a long period of time.

“I’m sure a lot of people would love to see the Supercats revived.

“The NBL is growing and always forward thinking.

“Basketball is thriving right now, from grassroots to the NBL. There’s a lot to like about basketball right now.”

Originally published as Bendigo Spirit to play two games at Geelong Arena this summer