REGIONAL Victoria will host 15 WNBL matches across January as part of a summer festival of women’s basketball.

The festival will begin on 8th January and run until the 29th January. It will see games played across Ballarat, Traralgon and other regional centres.

Perth Lynx will be one of those teams competing in the festival. They will be be based in Ballarat for the month of January and training at Selkirk Stadium. There will also be opportunities to attend training sessions and meet the players.

Traralgon will also host a double header on the 8th. The Sydney Uni Flames will play the Lynx and the Melbourne Boomers will play the UC Capitals.

At the announcement, Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said “We’re bringing more basketball to regional Victoria because sporting events attract visitors and support local jobs. As Australia’s premier sporting state, we’re delivering a packed events calendar this summer right across Victoria.”

Opals legend Lauren Jackson noted how excited she was about the WNBL are heading into regional centres and the opportunities it’ll provide for young girls.

“I grew up in a regional centre not unlike Ballarat, I always say that you can’t be what you can’t see so the opportunity for young girls to be able to watch these players and one day play in the WNBL is fantastic.”

The CEO of Basketball Ballarat Nev Ivy spoke of her excitement about the WNBL coming to Ballarat.

“Basketball Ballarat is thrilled with the announcement that WNBL’s Perth Lynx will call Ballarat home in January 2022. To have a national women’s elite team here in Ballarat showcasing Australia’s finest Basketball talent is an absolute coup,” she said.

The full fixture of the festival is yet to be revealed.