CANBERRA (WNBL) - The New Zealand based defencejobs Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) side will be known as the Christchurch Sirens.

The new franchise name was announced in a statement from the Canterbury Basketball Association (CBA), managing the Christchurch-based team in partnership with Basketball New Zealand last night.

The team logo was also unveiled with winged elements referencing the concept’s mythological origin along with the aerial nature of the game of basketball.

Red and black colours were included for the regional association with Christchurch and Canterbury.

According to legend, Sirens were half-bird, half-woman sea deities that lived on a variety of islands and lured passing mariners to their death on surrounding rocks with their enchanting music.

The Sirens will play their home games at the Westpac Arena, one of New Zealand's largest purpose-built indoor sports and entertainment venues, ten minutes from Christchurch central city.

“We are thrilled to put a name to this pioneering franchise as it quickly takes shape,” said CBA chief executive George Kazan.

“With the support of the Canterbury basketball public, we will endeavour to make the Westpac Arena a stronghold and ensure the Sirens provide opposing teams with a testing challenge.”

The Sirens have so far announced the signings of Tall Ferns Aneka Kerr, Karlene Kingi, Kate McMeeken Ruscoe, Charmian Purcell, Natalie Purcell, Lisa Wallbutton, Noni Wharemate to join Australian head coach Leigh Gooding.

The 2007/08 defencejobs WNBL season will commence on Friday, October 5.

Basketball Australia