Canberra Capitals to join UC
Edward O'Daly
16 May 2014: The University of Canberra Union has taken over the licence for one of Canberra's most successful sporting teams.
The Women's National Basketball League has approved the transfer of the licence for the Canberra women's basketball franchise, with the consent
of Basketball ACT, and the University of Canberra Capitals will operate from the University campus from today.
University of Canberra coach-in-residence Carrie Graf will continue to coach the side and University of Canberra Union chief executive Joe Roff will be its CEO. Basketball ACT will
continue to run community basketball with a renewed focus on pathways for the next generation of Capitals stars.
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L-R: UC coach-in-residence and Canberra Capitals coach Carrie Graf, Basketball ACT president David Leaney and CEO Tony Fraser and UCU chief executive Joe Roff. Photo: Michelle McAulay |
The team will be based in the University's soon-to-be-completed Sporting Commons building together with the University of Canberra Brumbies, the Special Olympics and ACTSPORT. The cost-free transfer will see the Capitals benefit from the University's scale as an organisation and expertise in running
clubs, with profits reinvested back into the team.
"The Canberra community has a significant amount of pride in the achievements of the Capitals to date and the University is committed to building on the work of Basketball ACT in having established one of Australia's leading women's sporting teams and programs," Mr Roff said.
"The University is committed to supporting women in sport where often female athletes are unable to dedicate themselves to their sport in the same way as male athletes. The transfer will enable Capitals players to establish flexible working, living and studying arrangements through the University so
that they are able to have a stronger focus on basketball while at the same time preparing for life after basketball."
Ms Graf said the partnership was great news for sport in the region.
"As the University's coach-in-residence and the Capitals head coach, I'm in a unique position
to understand the strengths of these two great Canberra institutions and the huge potential of what they can achieve together.
"We'll create a base from which the team can flourish and a fantastic environment for students and researchers.
"As Australia's leading sporting university,
with a wide range of sport-related courses, world class research, and state-of-the-art facilities, the University of Canberra offers unique opportunities to integrate the Capitals with the University community."
Read more University of Canberra Capitals stories:
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Bibby
back for ninth season with UC Capitals
Carly
re-signs with UC Capitals
Grad named UC Capitals first general manager
Cosier happy to be back with UC Capitals
