Brondello challenge: 'How do we get elusive gold'

• World No.2 Opals commence four-year Olympic cycle at Melbourne training camp
• Trans-Tasman series against New Zealand in May sets stage for FIBA Asia Cup
• Mix of Paris Olympians and WNBL standouts join squad under Head Coach Sandy Brondello

The Australian Opals have taken their first step towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and head coach Sandy Brondello admitted she was up and about the night before the national women's team's training camp started in Melbourne this week.

Fresh from securing bronze at the Paris Olympics, the World No.2 ranked side is preparing for a Trans-Tasman series against New Zealand in May that will serve as crucial preparation for the FIBA Asia Cup in July.

Head Coach Sandy Brondello said: "It's really, really exciting. I couldn't sleep last night, with anticipation.

"It's a new campaign now, it's the road to LA. The last four years have been good but it's now how do we get that elusive gold medal."

The 18-player squad has a blend of experienced Olympians and emerging talent that showcases the impressive depth of Australian women's basketball.

A record amount of Australians are preparing to suit up in the WNBA this season.

Paris Olympic bronze medallists Cayla George, Steph Talbot, Sami Whitcomb, Jade Melbourne, Isobel Borlase, and Anneli Maley are all at the camp. Maley joined Bec Cole in this week's episode of It's a Cole World, exclusively here on basketball.com.au

They are joined by Ally Wilson, who claimed gold at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup alongside Maley.

Several players are making their first appearances at an Opals camp, with Isabelle Bourne, Courtney Woods, and Miela Sowah earning their opportunities following stellar performances in the WNBL.

These inclusions highlight Brondello's commitment to developing the next generation of basketball talent.

The camp has also welcomed back Sara Blicavs, who returns to national team duties after overcoming a challenging year on the sidelines following back surgery. Her return provides additional experience and depth to the squad as they build towards international competitions.

"The rest of the world gets better and we want to have sustainable success," Brondello explained. "It's about what that looks like, continuing to invest in the young talent and getting to work."

Several players have just finished their European campaigns, with Lauren Scherf, Zitina Aokuso, and Shyla Heal returning to Australia to join the camp.

They are complemented by WNBL representatives Keely Froling, Maddy Rocci, Nyadiew Puoch, and Alex Sharp, creating a diverse squad with experience across multiple competitions.

The camp's schedule has been designed to accommodate players' existing commitments, particularly with the NBL1 season running in parralel.

The program began with fitness testing at the State Basketball Centre on Monday before transitioning to court sessions on Tuesday.

"It's pretty intense and we're very deliberate with training them during the week as a lot of players have NBL1 commitments," Brondello said.

"We're doing two sessions a day on Tuesday and Thursday, one longer session on Wednesday and finish off with an intra-squad scrimmage."

Brondello is particularly excited about the squad's physical attributes, noting, "With the new cycle, we've got some new players and I think our biggest strengths will be our size, our versatility and our athleticism."

The Trans-Tasman series against New Zealand will be the first test for this refreshed Opals squad, providing an opportunity to implement the strategies and systems developed during the camp. This series will serve as a valuable stepping stone towards the FIBA Asia Cup in China, where Australia will aim to reassert their dominance in the region.

As the Opals embark on this new four-year cycle, the focus is clearly on building a team capable of challenging for gold in Los Angeles. With a blend of Olympic experience and emerging talent, Australia's women's basketball team appears well-positioned to maintain their status among the world's elite while pursuing that elusive Olympic gold medal in 2028.