Head coach Matt Newby continues to build a very solid, exciting roster for Newcastle Eagles’ Women’s Super League Basketball 2024/25 roster. Part of that is bringing back a core of players who have experienced what it’s like to be part of the Eagles franchise.

So it’s a big welcome back to guard Zoe Willis who is returning to take her place in the roster and on the bench and add her talented support to the signings already announced so far in this close season.

Willis has shown herself to be an important and integral part of the roster. Last season she averaged 3.9 points and 1.9 rebounds a game but as Newby explains there’s more than stats to Zoe’s game.


Zoe Willis was a key component in the Eagles’ Playoffs run last season. (Photos: Gary Forster)

“Returning Zoe to Newcastle roster in many ways was an easy decision,” said Newby.

“She fundamentally is a great player to have within in our rotation as she is so versatile and has the team’s best interests at heart.

“She has the ability to play several positions shoots the ball well from behind the arc and has a great basketball IQ which is apparent in her decision making and off ball reads.


“Additionally she is physical in nature and prepared to sacrifice her body for the team on a daily basis at both ends of the floor.

“Furthermore, she has really impressed me on the court in her coaching role with the Eagles youth Academy and is one of the best young coaches in the region.

“Which needs championing as there are not enough female role models in our fraternity. Simple a great asset for the programme and the young people within our basketball community.”

Zoe Willis signing for the new campaign makes it three season at the club, having first suited-up as an Eagle in 2022. (Photo: Abbie Orwin)

From Willis herself there’s no doubt she’s back in an environment she loves and thrives in as she expressed her delight at returning for her third campaign and at the helm of an Eagles Academy squad for the second year running.


“With how well we finished the season last year under Matt’s leadership returning to the Eagles was a no brainer for me,” Willis added.

“I’m excited to step on court with our new looking roster playing in front of our incredible fan base at the Vertu Motors Arena.

“The club have given me exciting new opportunities off the court as well as taking the lead on our Under-16 boys premier Academy team this coming season and both are things I’m really excited to get stuck into.

“The club continues to grow year on year and it’s a great organisation to be part of.”

Clearly returning Zoe Willis will be a boon for both the women’s roster and the franchise as a whole and she’ll be part of the line-up that previews the up and coming season at The Launch in the Vertu Motors Arena tomorrow, Friday September 6th.