Canberra Capitals
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| Canberra TransACT Capitals | |
 Team Logo |
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| Founded: | 1984 |
|---|---|
| Home Court: | Southern Cross Stadium, Canberra AIS Arena, Canberra |
| Colours: | Home: Navy/Teale Away: Teale/Navy |
| WNBL Championships: | 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007 |
| Head coach: | Carrie Graf |
| General manager: | Mark Cartwright |
| Mascot: | Ace the dog |
The Canberra TransACT Capitals are an Australian Women's Basketball League (WNBL) team based in Canberra, Australia. TransACT Communications is the current naming rights sponsor for the Canberra Capitals.
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[edit] History
Founded in 1984, the Capitals have recently been a dominant team in Australia, due in part to the ascension of one of the all-time best basketball players in Lauren Jackson. They have won the Grand Final in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2007 and were in the final in 2001.
In the 1999/2000 season, the Canberra Capitals qualified for the WNBL grand final and defeated Adelaide Lightning on their home ground. The team also reached the WNBL grand final in the 2000/2001 season. The game was held in front of a sell out crowd at the AIS Arena. The Capitals held a commanding lead at half time but in the end were beaten by the Sydney Panthers.
The Capitals beat the Sydney Panthers in the 2001/2002 grand final, and the Sydney Flames in the 2002/2003 grand final. After two disappointing years, they reached the 2005/2006 WNBL Grand Final, where they defeated Dandenong Rangers 68-55.
With the departure of Lauren Jackson and retirement of captain Eleanor Sharp, Jessica Bibby formerly from the Dandenong Rangers has been recruited as the first sign-up for the 2006/2007 season. Unfortunately, another new signing in American import Jackie Stiles has proven to be less successful, with Stiles and the Capitals management agreeing to an early release from her contract early after a succession of injuries.
[edit] Players of note
- Tully Bevilaqua
- Kellie Abrams
- Natalie Hurst
- Donna Loffhagen
[edit] Retired numbers
[edit] Not to be forgotten
- Lauren Jackson
- Kristen Veal
- Shelley Sandie
- Eleanor Sharp
[edit] Current Roster
| Pos | # | Nat | Name | Height | Date of Birth | From |
| C/F | 4 |  |
Kiera Shiels | 190 | 2 May 1988 | Hobart, Tasmania |
| F | 6 | |
Caitlin Cunningham | 191 | 17 January 1986 | Melbourne, Victoria |
| G | 7 | |
Natalie Hurst | 163 | 8 April 1983 | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
| F | 9 | |
Peta Sinclair | 187 | 29 August 1983 | Sydney, New South Wales |
| C/F | 10 | |
Abby Bishop | 189 | 29 November 1988 | Booleroo, South Australia |
| G | 11 | |
Jessica Bibby | 169cm | 23 August 1979 | Melbourne, Victoria |
| F | 12 | |
Michaela Dalgliesh | 179 | 22 August 1983 | Frankston, Victoria |
| G | 13 | |
Kellie Abrams | 175 | 10 December 1978 | Ballarat, Victoria |
| G | 21 |  |
Jackie Stiles | 173 | 21 December 1978 | Kansas, USA |
| F | 22 |  |
Donna Loffhagen | 185 | 29 April 1978 | Christchurch, New Zealand |
| C | 25 | |
Tracey Beatty | 202 | 9 March 1979 | Victor Harbour, South Australia |
| F | 32 | |
Kylie Langi | 178 | 16 December 1980 | Brisbane, Queensland |
| G | 44 | |
Tully Bevilaqua | 164 | 19 July 1972 | Merredin, Western Australia |
[edit] 2006/07 Season
The Canberra Capitals finished the regular season in second place, behind the Sydney University Flames, having lost only one home game. They were defeated by the Flames in the semifinal, but defeated the Adelaide Lightning in the preliminary final to earn the right to face the Flames at the Penrith Sports Stadium on February 17, 2007.
The Capitals defeated the more favoured Flames 73-59, with Natalie Hurst contributing 15 points to lead the scoring. This represented the Capitals' fourth WNBL title in the past six years.
[edit] Coaches and others
- Carrie Graf (2003-Present)
- Tom Maher (2002-2003)
