BENDIGO Spirit fans will have four chances to see their team in action on live television this season, including two road games.
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The Spirit’s first opportunity at national exposure comes early in the season, with its second round clash against Perth Lynx at Bendigo Stadium to be broadcast live on Fox Sports.
Fox will broadcast at least one game a week live during the 13 round season, and all semi-final and grand final series matches.
Other Spirit matches scheduled for broadcast are their November 25 away match against the Canberra Capitals, December 2 home encounter against Dandenong Rangers, and December 16 clash against Sydney Uni Flamers at Brydens Stadium.
Fox’s coverage will tip-off on October 7 with Melbourne Boomers hosting Townsville Fire at the State Basketball Centre.
It will be the first of six games featuring the Boomers and their marquee signing, Australian Opals star Liz Cambage.
Spirit coach Simon Pritchard said the club was thrilled with its allocation of four televised games.
“We were initially scheduled for three games, but they’ve added an extra one, which is fantastic,” he said.
“If you look at the spread, Melbourne has six, Dandenong have five and Sydney and us have four.
“So we’re very happy to have picked up four games, especially with two at home.”
Meanwhile, the Spirit will play the first two of three pre-season games this weekend.
A 3pm Saturday fixture against Adelaide Lightning in Sunbury will be followed by a 3pm Sunday clash against Dandenong Rangers at Werribee’s Eagle Stadium.
The Spirit will be below full-strength, with centre Gabe Richards to miss Saturday’s match with netball commitments for Golden Square, while import Rachel Banham is not due in Australia until next Tuesday after her WNBA playoff commitments with Connecticut Sun ended on Monday.
Pritchard said he had been encouraged by the form of all players in a recent internal scrimmage, which ended in a 75-73 scoreline after three quarters.