A BURNING ambition to win another Women’s National Basketball League championship and a strong belief in Bendigo’s status in the sport, has enticed point guard Dee Butler to sign with the Jimmy Possum Bendigo Spirit.

A dual-championship player with the Bendigo Lady Braves in the SEABL, Butler missed the Spirit’s inaugural season in the WNBL to play with Italian club Familia Scho.

After helping Familia Scho to the prestigious EuroCup crown, Butler has returned to Bendigo and is eager to play her part in lifting the Spirit into the play-offs.

“My plan was always to come back to Bendigo,’’ Butler, who grew up in Wangaratta, said.

“I kept in contact with the girls last summer and took a keen interest in what the Spirit was doing.

“Bendigo having a team in the national competition is fantastic and I want to be a part of it.

“I just want to win so much and I think we’re going to have a team that can aim for the play-offs.

“I’ve been involved in one championship team (AIS 1999) and I’d love to win another one with Bendigo.’’Butler said the experience she gained in Europe had improved her game, although the passionate supporters she encountered across the continent had taken her by surprise.

“Basketball in Europe is amazing,’’ she said.

“We would train twice a day, have a lot of travelling, play midweek games . . . there is a lot of pressure to perform.

“The women’s teams in Europe get similar recognition to the men which is great, but with that comes a lot of pressure.

“The fans are amazing, but they have a love-hate relationship with you.

“There are some courts where you have to have perspex behind the benches because the fans will spit on you or throw things at you.

“One club even had all their fans banned for five matches because they abused a referee so much. The team had to play in front of no fans for five games.

“The fans are what makes playing for Bendigo so special as well. We can pack the stadium out and it makes a big difference to the players.’’Butler steps into the point guard role vacated by Opals squad member Kathleen MacLeod. Butler, centre Gabe Richards and former US college star Hanna Zavecz will form three of the Spirit’s starting five for the WNBL season which starts in October.

Spirit coach Bernie Harrower said Butler’s experience would be invaluable.

“We did a great job last year, but we lost some close games and our lack of experience was telling in those losses,’’ Harrower said.

“Dee knows what it takes to get the job done in this league.

“She gives us flexibility in the guard spots and she can defend very well.

“We’re certainly very happy to have her sign with the Spirit.’’