Cyclone abby hits
The Rockhampton Hog's Breath Cafe Cyclones are set to shine once again in 2009 with the arrival of Australian Opal Abby Bishop.
Rockhampton Basketball Incorporated late yesterday announced the major signing of Bishop, 20, for this year's Queensland Basketball League.
Bishop, currently playing for the Canberra Capitals in the WNBL, leads her team in points and rebounds per game and is also in the competition's top-two for those statistical categories.
RBI operations manager Jamie Boon said Bishop was arguably Rockhampton Basketball's biggest signing coup yet.
“We are ecstatic with the news that Abby has decided to spend a season in Rockhampton with the Hog's Breath Cafe Cyclones,” he said.
“As the premier 'big' in the WNBL this season, Abby will bring an enormous amount of energy, ability and professionalism to our group.
“As a graduate of the Australian Institute of Sport, Abby has achieved an enormous amount in the game both nationally and internationally, we feel that she will provide a great deal of experience and leadership to our younger girls, which is extremely important to the long-term success of the program.
“We were extremely interested in Abby last season; however, her commitments to the Opals ultimately prevented us from signing her, given the number of training camps and lead up tournaments that she was required for in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics.”
Speaking from Canberra where she is preparing for the Capitals' upcoming double-header against Perth and Townsville, Bishop said she could not wait to hit the court for the Cyclones - particularly at home.
“I have heard a tremendous amount of positive feedback about Rockhampton and the commitment to both the women's and the men's programs and felt that it would be great place to play basketball,” Bishop said.
“Apparently the home-crowd support is the best in the state and I look forward to playing in front of them when the season starts (on May 3).”
Name: Abby Bishop.
DOB: November 29, 1988.
Height: 190cm.
Position: Forward, centre.
First played WNBL: 2004-05 Australian Institute of Sport.
WNBL clubs: 2004-06 Australian Institute of Sport, 2006-present Canberra.
Other: Represented South Australia in netball and softball at state level.
By- Aaron Kelly, The Morning Bulletin
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