THE 2014 SBL season gets underway this weekend with three women's matches on Friday night across Perth, two on Saturday night and then one on midday on Sunday.

All women's SBL teams will be raring to go to make a fast start to the 2014 season after off-seasons that in many cases have promised so much, seen others focus on redemption and then some make huge changes in the hopes of turning things around.

The action begins on Friday night with three matches that sees the Perth Redbacks host the Rockingham Flames, the Schweigen East Perth Eagles take on the Lakeside Lightning and the Cockburn Cougars battle the Kalamunda Eastern Suns.

Then on Saturday night, the Stirling Senators face the Perth Redbacks at home and the Willetton Tigers and Wanneroo Wolves face off at Willetton Basketball Stadium.

There is then the one match on Sunday to close out the opening round's action with the Perry Lakes Hawks facing the Mandurah Magic at the WA Basketball Centre with tip-off at 12.00pm.

Friday's fixtures begin at the Belmont Oasis with the Redbacks hosting the Flames.

The Redbacks are coming off a 2013 season that saw them narrowly miss the playoffs and now new coach Stuart Budd will begin his time a the helm with a home fixture with his team consisting of two new imports Holly Switzer and Ariel Marusak.

However, it will be a tough battle up against a Rockingham team who made the grand final in 2012 and was again a strong force in 2013 losing in the semi-finals to the eventual champions Wanneroo.

The Eagles will also host the Lakeside Lightning at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre with East Perth desperate to vastly improve on its horror one-win season in 2013.

They won't have an easy task first up, though, against a Lightning team coming off making the playoffs last year and having new import Kari Pickens teaming up with the Krystal Stoneking.

The final match on Friday night sees the Cougars host the Suns at Wally Hagan Stadium.

Cockburn has a new coach in Deanna Smith and could be the big improvers of 2014 with Marita Payne and Sam Richards headlining their list of inclusions.

Meanwhile, Kalamunda will be looking to back up its strong season of 2013 that saw the Suns make a stunning run all the way to the grand final.

Then on Saturday night, the Redbacks will have to back up their clash on Friday by heading to Warwick Leisure Centre to take on a fresh Stirling outfit.

The Senators are coming off a playoff berth last year and will be desperate to start strongly in front of their home fans with Emma Berryman on board from Kalamunda, and Taylor Wild and Amber Land back again.

Saturday night's second game then sees the defending champion Wanneroo head to Willetton Basketball Stadium to take on a Tigers team desperate for redemption in 2013.

Willetton finished last season on top of the standings, but lost in the first round to the South West Slammers but Wanneroo will be full of confidence coming off the championship with Amanda Frontino and Ellyce Ironmonger on board.

Then on Sunday, the Perry Lakes Hawks begin their 2014 campaign at the WA Basketball Centre at midday up against a Mandurah Magic team looking to vastly improve on a disappointing past two seasons.

The Hawks have signed Gabby Clayton to play against the Magic but it's unknown how long she will be available for this season.

It will be a big game for the Magic as well as they celebrate the 350th appearance in the SBL of Casey Mihovilovich.

WEEK 1 WOMEN'S SBL FIXTURES
FRIDAY
Perth Redbacks v Rockingham Flames, Belmont Oasis 6.30pm
Schweigen East Perth Eagles v Lakeside Lightning, Morley Sport and Recreation Centre 6.30pm
Cockburn Cougars v Kalamunda Eastern Suns, Wally Hagan Stadium 6.30pm

SATURDAY
Stirling Senators v Perth Redbacks, Warwick Leisure Centre 6.00pm
Willetton Tigers v Wanneroo Wolves, Willetton Basketball Stadium 6.00pm

SUNDAY
Perry Lakes Hawks v Mandurah Magic, WA Basketball Centre 12.00pm

Article by Chris Pike