Ashlee Sidebottom offers strong presence for the Goldfields Giants' women's side

The Northern Star Resources Goldfields Giants are excited to announce the return of Ashlee Sidebottom to the women’s side ahead of the NBL1 West 2023 season.

Sidebottom joined the squad last year in the team’s inaugural NBL1 season following her time as a junior in the WABL.

Standing at 185cm and able to play in any of the front court roles, she brings additional height, experience and toughness to the team, at both ends of the court.

Sidebottom said while it took her some time to decide to play another season she decided her love of basketball and her team won out.

“I didn’t want to leave the team hanging for no good reason as we have lost some players due to injury and relocating,” she said.

“I love being around the girls and I want to get a good season in.”

The player had plenty of representative success as a teenager and competed for Western Australia in five different National Championships.

She also accrued 132 SBL matches across seven seasons with the Mandurah Magic and Rockingham Flames including being named to the SBL South team in the 2016 SBL All-Star game.

Having moved back to the region in 2020 to take up a teaching post, Sidebottom was originally part of the 2020 Giants WABL squad before Covid-19 shut down the season.

She continued to play locally with the Olympians Basketball Club, contributing significantly to their three KBBA Division 1 Women’s titles over the past three years and was this year’s grand final MVP.

Sidebottom has been working hard in the off-season, saying she feels fit and ready for the season ahead.