NZNBL returns with 18in18 women’s schedule announced
SIX teams, 18 games, 18 days. That is what confronts the competitors in the 2020 Sal’s Women’s New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) next month. Much like the men’s competition that was held across June and July, the women’s competition is condensed to ensure it happened in this strangest of calendar years.
Much like the men’s competition, every game will be held in one city at the same venue, with 18 days straight of basketball action. Six teams from across New Zealand will battle it out for ultimate glory, playing each of the other sides five times – for 15 regular season games – followed by two semis and one final.
The season tip-off is on Thursday, November 17 and will run until the December 6 Grand Final. Every match will begin at 7.30pm for 17 consecutive nights until the grand final where the two best teams from the season will face off from 5pm. Every game will be broadcast live on Sky Sport.
The six Sal’s NBL women’s teams are:
- Auckland Dream
- Canterbury Wildcats
- Capital Swish
- Harbour Breeze
- Otago Gold Rush
- Waikato Wizards
NZNBL General Manager Justin Nelson said he was looking forward to another epic competition just like the men’s.
“It’s going to be a fun few weeks, all six teams have been training for some time now and they’re keen to get back out there and battle for a national championship,” he said on the NZNBL website. “It feels like we have been held up from starting the season a couple of times now, so it’s exciting we can finally get going. We are very appreciative of our partners, Sal’s and their supportive team, our friends at Sky Sport, and of course a big thank you to Sport NZ for their assistance.”
Sal’s NBL 18IN18 Schedule:
Day 1 – Thursday November 19
Auckland Dream vs Waikato Wizards @ 7:30pm
Day 2 – Friday November 20
Canterbury Wildcats vs Auckland Dream @ 7:30pm
Day 3 – Saturday November 21
Capital Swish vs Canterbury Wildcats @ 7:30pm
Day 4 – Sunday November 22
Harbour Breeze vs Capital Swish @ 7:30pm
Day 5 – Monday November 23
Otago Gold Rush vs Harbour Breeze @ 7:30pm
Day 6 – Tuesday November 24
Waikato Wizards vs Otago Gold Rush @ 7:30pm
Day 7 – Wednesday November 25
Canterbury Wildcats vs Waikato Wizards @ 7:30pm
Day 8 – Thursday November 26
Harbour Breeze vs Canterbury Wildcats @ 7:30pm
Day 9 – Friday November 27
Capital Swish vs Auckland Dream @ 7:30pm
Day 10 – Saturday November 28
Otago Gold Rush vs Capital Swish @ 7:30pm
Day 11 – Sunday November 29
Auckland Dream vs Otago Gold Rush @ 7:30pm
Day 12 – Monday November 30
Harbour Breeze vs Waikato Wizards @ 7:30pm
Day 13 – Tuesday December 1
Auckland Dream vs Harbour Breeze @ 7:30pm
Day 14 – Wednesday December 2
Waikato Wizards vs Capital Swish @ 7:30pm
Day 15 – Thursday December 3
Otago Gold Rush vs Canterbury Wildcats @ 7:30pm
Day 16 – Friday December 4
Semi-Final (1v4) @ 7:30pm
Day 17 – Saturday December 5
Semi-Final (2v3) @ 7:30pm
Day 18 – Sunday December 6
Grand Final @ 5:00pm
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