THE WNBL has committed to a full schedule of 21 regular-season games per team, plus finals, but will delay the start of its 2020-21 competition by more than a month.
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Bendigo Spirit can expect to hit the floor for the first time some time between November 20 to 22, following the league's confirmation of its season going ahead.
Further details are expected following the official announcement of the 2020-21 season structure this morning, although it can be confirmed the league is prepared to play its first block of matches - up until Christmas - without fans, in line with current COVID-19 restrictions on mass gatherings.
Following the final round of matches between March 3 to 6, semi-finals will be played from March 12 to 21.
The grand final series is scheduled to occur between March 25 to 31.
In recent years, the WNBL has traditionally tipped-off around the second week in October.
Bendigo Spirit coach Tracy York has welcomed the clarity surrounding the season.
"The fact we are going to have a full season is great ... essentially it's just going to run a month later than normal," she said.
"I expect the start of it, depending on how they do the draw, to maybe be a bit different without crowds and things, but getting a full 21 games scheduled in is good.
"That 21 games is what we have been playing and gives our league some stability."
Basketball Australia's head of women in basketball Lauren Jackson said while the WNBL was prepared to start the season without fans, the league would 'adapt accordingly' should restrictions ease in the months ahead.
Fuelling some hope of an earlier return of crowds, York, who has spent the lockdown back home in Adelaide, said 'slowly, but surely' restrictions were starting to ease.
"It's possible to think by November or December you might have some people at the games, but the league will gauge that by the policies at the time," she said.
Should restrictions ease over the coming months, we will adapt accordingly with the view to our passionate members and fans being able to attend games when its safe and viable to do so.
- Lauren Jackson
Bendigo Stadium Limited chief executive officer Nathan O'Neill praised the WNBL's commitment to a full schedule of games.
"Once crowds are permitted, Bendigo Spirit will give our fans a reason to support our team once again," he said.
"Our investment in community connection, partnership value and member engagement will play a significant role in igniting the Spirit season.
"Although COVID-19 has been challenging for many businesses, what it has done has made us all think differently.
"We know the Spirit has a key role within the community, therefore we will be finding better ways to connect.
"It's a point that rarely hits the mark, that we have a team representing Bendigo in the second best basketball league in the world."
Meanwhile, Basketball Australia believes its decision end the WNBL season in late-March will also benefit the Australian Opals' preparations for the postponed Tokyo Olympics, which are now set to start on July 23, 2021.
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