19 September 2016: The University of Canberra Capitals have signed Canberra sisters Callie and Issie Bourne as development players for the 2016/17 WNBL season.
- UC Capitals new signings Callie and Issie Bourne and head coach Paul Goriss will be available for interview at 1pm TODAY at Daramalan College. They will be joined by Daramalan College Principal Rita Daniels and Phil Brown from Basketball ACT
Callie, 17, and Issie, 15, who attend Daramalan College, started playing basketball at age five and played in the junior and senior women’s teams with the Norths Basketball Club. The sisters, who are in Years 11 and 10 respectively, also lined up for the Capitals Academy in this year’s SEABL competition.
Both Callie, a 177cm combo guard, and Issie, a 187cm power forward, said they were thrilled to join the University of Canberra Capitals as development players.
“The opportunity to be involved with a WNBL team and be around a great coach and players that have played at the highest level is incredible. Hopefully, I can learn from their professionalism and become a better player,” Callie said.
Issie added: “We have watched the UC Capitals play over the years and I still can’t believe we will now be involved in a small way. I am looking forward to learning and training as hard as I possibly can.”
University of Canberra Capitals head coach Paul Goriss said the club was keen to work with Basketball ACT to provide a pathway to develop up-and-coming female basketballers in the ACT.
“The work that the girls have done along with their club and Basketball ACT has put them in good stead to be part of our development program at the UC Capitals.
“I had the opportunity to coach Callie and Issie when they attended practice sessions at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence as part of our training squad and I have seen them compete at National Junior Championships. They bring different skill sets to the game, work hard and have the talent to succeed. I’m confident they have what it takes to play in the WNBL in the future,” he said.
Daramalan College Principal Rita Daniels congratulated the sisters on joining the UC Capitals.
“Both Callie and Issie are very talented young women and on behalf of the Daramalan school community we wish them every success with their basketball careers.”
WHAT: University of Canberra Capitals player announcement — Callie and Issie Bourne and Paul Goriss will be available for interview at the announcement
WHEN: Monday 19 September, 1.00pm - 1.30pm
WHERE: Daramalan College, Cowper Street, Dickson (Please meet at front reception)
Contact the University of Canberra media team:
Amanda Jones: 0409 140 415
Claudia Doman: 0408 826 362