Basketball SA is pleased to announce the release of the schedule for the 2011 Central ABL.

The men’s league is likely to feature more NBL players than in previous seasons. The Adelaide 36ers have expressed a preference for their players to stay in Adelaide in the NBL off-season and while most signings are yet to be announced, we expect to see a number of players suiting up for local teams. The women’s league is also likely to involve a number of Adelaide Lightning players.

Round 1 tips off on April 2, two weeks later than in 2010, increasing the availability of NBL and WNBL players. Centrals, Eastern, Forestville, North and Norwood host men’s and women’s games on April 2 while South, Southern, Sturt, West and Woodville play their first home games on April 9/10.

The now traditional rivalry clashes will be in round 4 (April 30) and round 14 (July 9/10), in which Norwood and North, Forestville and Sturt, Centrals and Eastern, South and Southern, and West and Woodville will battle for local bragging rights. The Mavericks and Bearcats were the only two clubs that swept their four men’s and women’s rivalry games last year and we expect some more tough contests this year.

The Central ABL will be increasingly accessible to younger fans in 2011, with 16 games scheduled for Sunday afternoons. In addition, Norwood and Central Districts will play a rare Friday night game in the July school holidays.

The season culminates with Grand Finals at the Adelaide Dome on Saturday September 3.

The full 2011 schedule is available at http://www.centralabl.com.au

For any media enquiries, please contact the Competitions Manager, Paul Arnott on (08) 8345 8606 or parnott@basketballsa.com.au .