AUS - Star names step out at Opals camp

CANBERRA (FIBA World Championship for Women) - Australian play-caller Brendan Joyce has welcomed back a string of his big-hitters, including the likes of Liz Cambage, Penny Taylor and Erin Phillips, who are all participating in a preparation camp for the FIBA World Championship for Women.

The trio are the headliners at the gathering, which is taking place this week in Canberra, following on from a camp earlier this year which featured an array of leading WNBL-based players.

It's the first time Joyce has worked with his team since the recent draw in Istanbul and he was thrilled to see so many of his stars in attendance.

"To be able to bring the likes of Penny, Liz and Erin into the fold for this camp is a significant step forward in our preparations for the World Championships," he said.

"The commitment these players have to the programme shows how much it means to them to be a part of this campaign.

"In Penny and Erin, we have two players who have played at the highest level for a number of years, bringing experience, knowledge and leadership to the squad."

The trio joined their fellow Olympians in the shape of team captain Jenni Screen and her Adelaide Lightning colleague Laura Hodges.

There has also been a major boost for everyone with four-time Olympian and Opals legend Lauren Jackson arriving as part of a rehab group.

Jackson continues to search for fitness after recent Achilles and knee surgery and is joined on the sidelines by Rachel Jarry and two-time WNBL All-Star Gabrielle Richards, who both also have knee issues.

Meanwhile, after missing the camp a couple of months ago, Logan Thunder duo Kristen Veal and Hanna Zavecz return to the fold, alongside Adelaide Lightning star Jess Foley and Townsville Fire captain, Rachael McCully.

Sara Blicavs of Bendigo Spirit and Canberra Capitals center Alex Bunton have both been added after Suzy Batkovic and Jenna O'Hea withdrew from consideration last week. They join the likes of fellow young stars Rebecca Allen, Tessa Lavey, Carley Mijovic and Stephanie Talbot.

"This camp is a great opportunity for those players who weren't able to attend January's camp, to get a clear understanding of the culture and expectations of the Opals programme," said Joyce, who will also hold a third camp on the Gold Coast next month.

"For the programme to be given the best opportunity to succeed in Turkey, these two camps will be vital.

"We are able to spend more time working with the players to define the culture and world-class standards of the programme.

"Additionally, the two camps give the coaching staff a good number of on-court sessions to introduce the new players to our style of play and further fine tune the players who attended the January camp."

The Opals will prepare for fixtures later this year in Istanbul, where they will play against Belarus, Cuba and Korea in Group C.

FIBA