Newcastle Eagles tip-off their Super League Basketball (SLB) Women’s Championship campaign with a tough looking opening home game against Leicester Riders in the Vertu Motors Arena tonight.

Both teams will be looking to make a winning start to their league season after failing to qualify for the semi-final stage of the Betty Cordona Trophy competition. Both Newcastle and Leicester going 1 – 1 in their group stage games.

Eagles will be hoping that home court advantage and their loyal and vociferous home support will tip things in their favour when the game gets underway. New Eagle Shannon Hatch is one of the new weapons for Newcastle this season.

The experienced Swiss International spent three seasons in top-flight UK basketball with Cardiff Met Archers netting double-figures in scoring every campaign. She is fully aware of the threat that Leicester present but looking forward to the prospect of facing them.

“It’s always much better to be playing than practising,” said Hatch.

“I feel like we’ve had a productive two weeks getting ready for this big first game of the regular season here at home against Leicester.

“We’re all really excited for it and eager for it to start.

“We’re looking at it as a great chance to kick-start the season with a good win in front of our great crowd.

“Leicester are a tough opponent. Historically they have been very solid, well coached and a talented group.

“It’ll be a tough challenge for us but one we’re ready for as a group and I’m really excited for it.”

Both teams will be looking to start to the regular season strong and bounce back from their respective Trophy results.

“We would have loved to have gone through,” the 5’11” guard added.

“We had a tough group but at least we finished with a win against Durham and we need to try and build off that.

“They’ll be doing the same to be fair but we have that extra motivation to start the season with a win at home.”

Leicester’s Trophy win came against Hatch’s old team Cardiff and she has had a chance to speak with some of her former teammates about that game and what Leicester will bring to the VMA.

“I’ve been told they are tall, physical and well-coached which is what I was expecting,” Hatch commented.

“They are always at the top end of the table and tough to play against. I expect a physical battle down low and they have good talented guards as well.

“As a group we’ve scouted then and are ready to get the game going. The two weeks since we’ve played have really helped us.

“It always takes time with a new group. I know there’s a core that stayed the same which has really been helpful for us.”

“Our new players especially have benefited from that veteran leadership which I’m trying to add too. The players who were here last year and know Matt’s (Newby) style of players have been important in building that relationship.

“But for sure the two weeks have helped us and helped the group gel. Being a new group, we needed that time on the court and hopefully that will show in the game tonight.

Certainly it’s not going to be an easy encounter for Hatch and her teammates but she seems confident that the Eagles are in a good confident space to give themselves every chance for a game that tips-off at 7:30pm.

Tickets are still available from the box office and on the door.