Young Flyers embrace inexperience in WNBL title push

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 23:32 · Archive

The Southside Melbourne Flyers, the WNBL's youngest team, nearly beat Sydney Flames despite an average age of 22.8 years.

The Southside Melbourne Flyers have undergone significant changes ahead of the new WNBL season. The club lost several star players including veteran Cayla George, point guard Maddy Rocci, American Haley Peters and Opal Issie Bourne. Coach Kristi Harrower also departed, with the club believing the side needed a fresh start despite reaching the semi-finals last season.

Despite being widely regarded as the league's youngest and most inexperienced team, the Flyers are confident about their prospects. Last Friday their squad, with an average age of 22.8 years, nearly upset the star-studded Sydney Flames in a 77-73 defeat. Chinese international Wang Siyu, at 31, was the only player older than 30 on the game-day squad.

Forward Hannah Hank said the team embraces their youth. 'There's a lot of talk about us being the youngest side, but that's something we all embrace,' she told AAP. 'We're a side that's really keen to grow, learn and continue to push to get better.' Hank also backed new coach Sam Mackinnon, who has not previously coached a first-grade women's team, saying he has fostered an environment where mistakes are accepted as part of development. The Flyers face Tasmania Jewels on Thursday and Geelong Venom on Saturday.

How it is being reported

• 'Confidence': young Flyers set to soar in WNBL pursuitRecruit Hannah Hank has addressed how the Southside Melbourne Flyers' young roster has them poised for WNBL success.The West Australian · 20 Oct, 23:03
• 'Confidence': young Flyers set to soar in WNBL pursuitRecruit Hannah Hank has addressed how the Southside Melbourne Flyers' young roster has them poised for WNBL success.Perth Now · 20 Oct, 23:03

In this story: Southside Melbourne Flyers · Hannah Hank · Sydney Flames · Wang Siyu · Sam Mackinnon · Cayla George · Maddy Rocci · Kristi Harrower

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