CEDAR CITY – The Thunderbirds are going Down Under to play basketball.
Southern Utah University announced Tuesday that the women’s basketball team will travel to Australia Aug. 5-16 to play teams in Melbourne and Sydney.
“This foreign tour is a fantastic opportunity for our program to compete against some terrific Australian teams and explore the beauty and history of an incredible country,” Coach Tracy Mason said in a news release from SUU. “It will give our Australian players an opportunity to share their culture with us and we’re excited to compete in front of their families and fans. We’re looking forward to making some unbelievable memories.”
The defending Western Athletic Conference champions kick off their Australian journey in Melbourne Aug. 7-12 and will face two opponents from the National Basketball League 1 (NBL1). On Aug. 8, the SUU Thunderbirds will take on the Ringwood Hawks at 7 p.m. AEST, followed by a match against the Melbourne Tigers on Aug. 10 at 6:30 pm AEST.
Then it will be on to Sydney Aug. 12-16. The pinnacle of their tour will be a highly anticipated match against the prestigious Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence on Aug. 14 at 6 pm AEST.
The Thunderbirds won’t just be playing basketball, according to the news release. They will visit the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary for an up-close encounter with Australia’s unique wildlife, including the opportunity to pet a kangaroo. Players and coaches will also explore the hidden laneways of Melbourne, discover local treasures at Queen Victoria Market and enjoy views from the Eureka Skydeck.
Immersing themselves in Australian culture, the team will attend an Australian Rules Football game to witness the nation’s passion for sports. Additionally, the Thunderbirds will experience the world-famous Bondi Beach and Manly Beach while taking in the picturesque coastal beauty.
The team also is scheduled to complete th Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, an iconic experience that offers breathtaking panoramic views of Sydney, the news release said.
Fans and supporters can follow their journey on social media through the #SUUWBBDownUnder.