Pizzey’s Third Time Lucky

Eltham is pleased to announce the re-signing of Rebecca Pizzey for the 2022 NBL1 South season.

Hailing from the mighty Balwyn Blazers in the Eastern Districts Junior Basketball Association (EDJBA), Pizzey took her junior career to the Bulleen program for her Junior Championship career – one that saw her dominate the floorboards right across Victoria. As with many juniors growing up in the EDJBA, it was hard to imagine ever putting on the red and black of the Eltham Wildcats; the EDJBA’s biggest club, but now going into her third year at Eltham, Pizzey is feeling right at home.

“Balwyn was a great launching pad for me as a junior player. In many ways the coaches there laid the foundations for what coaches and I have been able to build upon since. To have represented Victoria, Australia and now be in the WNBL, a lot of credit has to go to the people coaching kids in domestic clubs. Growing up though playing for Bulleen, those battles with Eltham were fierce! Those rivalries as kids were so good. It is great to have been welcomed into the Eltham club though and can’t wait to get back to Melbourne and amongst the kids.”

After Eltham’s debut year in NBL1 in 2019, the club targeted specific pieces with an aim of developing a core for the years ahead. Now with several years under her belt in the WNBL including a Championship title, Pizzey is a young leader who is growing into the role.

“Eltham sold me their vision leading into the 2020 season. The first season in NBL1, the club came 10^th (of 18) and they contacted me about playing a role in continuing to build it. The new stadium had been approved, but the club was still feeling its way at the elite level. While we missed out on 2020 altogether, we were excited by what we did in 2021 and I think we surprised a lot of people. We were shattered that the season had to be cancelled! I am hoping third time lucky sees us get our crack at the championship!”

After strong results in 2021, Head Coach Grant Hardy and the Eltham Wildcats have focussed in the off-season on keeping the core roster together but also looking to improve it where required. Rebecca Pizzey is a key aspect of that.

“Our NBL1 teams are representative of our club, not just representing the club, which means we want good people flying our flag. We want our NBL1 teams being something our junior Wildcats and past players can be proud of, representative of Eltham, of the EDJBA and of the north-eastern region of Melbourne. Rebecca fits this mould as someone we want young people looking up too. She is an outstanding local talent; has been a terrific leader within our senior squad for the younger players and due to this she was one of the first we wanted to make sure returned for the 2022 season.” Eltham CEO Greg Jeffers said.

Stay tuned for more announcements to come and how to grab your 2022 NBL1 Wildcat membership.

The NBL1 represents the highest level achievable for players, coaches, technical officials and game day staff in the Eltham Wildcats pathway. It provides individuals in the north-east of Melbourne with a chance to be exposed to the national leagues. The Eltham Wildcats aim to have teams that strongly represent the north-east of Melbourne and players who’ve come through the Eastern Districts Junior Basketball Association (EDJBA).  

For further information about the Eltham Wildcats Basketball Club please contact 9439 5686 or Greg Jeffers on ceo@elthamwildcats.net.au