Melbourne world cup bound BASKETBALL FIBA BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT   A SECOND medal is there for the taking. Traralgon’s Jade Melbourne and the Australian Opals took care of business during their FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying campaign, going undefeated throughout their stay in Instanbul. Taking place from March 11 to 18, the Opals weren’t to be denied in their journey back to the World Cup – where they’ve competed in every tournament since 1967. While Australia was made to work in each game across the qualifying tournament, including their penultimate group stage against Turkey in which the Opals passed by three points. The final match against Canada was equally as tough, with Australia breaking the game open slightly in the third quarter to hold on by six points. To conclude that third quarter run, Melbourne hit a running shot well beyond the three-point line as the clock expired, to extend the Opals lead to seven points in time for the final term. Just as she was called upon during Australia’s 2024 Olympic bronze medal run, the Traralgon star was utilised during her minutes for defensive purposes and unselfishness. Melbourne’s best performance came in the Opals’ first game in Instanbul against Argentina, where she posted 12 points and three assists in a 26-point victory. In Australia’s final game against Canada, Melbourne saw court time down the stretch, finishing with seven points, three assists and two rebounds. She was limited in a lot of games due to foul trouble, in which Melbourne was equal-second in the qualifying tournament for total fouls. The Opals had already secured World Cup qualification during the 2025 Asia Cup, which Melbourne did not play in due to still being in the thick of the WNBA season with the Washington Mystics. Australia now moves their attention to Germany, where the FIBA Women’s World Cup takes place from September 4 to 13. Sitting third for most medals in the tournament’s history, the Opals will be locking in and hoping to pull of their first gold medal finish since 2006. That team featured the likes of basketball greats Lauren Jackson, Kristi Harrower, Penny Taylor, equal AFLW great Erin Phillips, and Mirboo North’s Belinda Snell. As by far Australia’s highest ever achievement, in either men’s or women’s competition, the gold medal team was inducted into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022. This will be Melbourne’s first ever World Cup run, having previously missed the cut for Australia’s 2022 bronze medal. In 2021, Melbourne captained Australia to a silver medal at the FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup, succumbing to the US in the final. One of Melbourne’s direct opponents was WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark in the gold medal match.

LV Express: Melbourne world cup bound #Sport #AustralianOpals #BelindaSnell

Melbourne makes Opals cut BASKETBALL FIBA BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT   SEVEN cuts were made for the Australian Opals, with Traralgon’s Jade Melbourne holding her spot. The duel WNBL and WNBA player will don the green and gold for the third time in her professional career at the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers held in Istanbul, Turkey from March 11 to 17. At the lead-in tournament, the Opals will do battle against some serious competition, including Argentina, Canada, Japan, Hungary, and host nation Turkey. While still being branded as a qualifying event, all countries listed in Group A alongside Australia have already been permitted into the FIBA Women’s World Cup, but will use these games as high intensity preparation. Melbourne, who is close to completing her sixth season in the WNBL with the University of Canberra Capitals, previously played for the Opals in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in 2021 as a 19-year-old, and most recently won a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. After the qualifiers wrap up, the FIBA Women’s World Cup will be played in Germany from September 4 to 13. This will overlap with the upcoming WNBA season, which will begin on May 8, only if the league and players’ association can complete a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement in time. If a new deal isn’t met before the start of the season, a lock-out could ensue (essentially a players strike, halting the start of competition). It will be Melbourne’s fourth season in the top basketball league in the world, and her third with the Washington Mystics. Last year, the Traralgon star played the most games in her career and started 12 times after previously never doing so. The 2026 season serves as the WNBA’s 30th anniversary, which includes the introduction of two new franchises in Toronto and Portland, expanding the league to 15 teams. Despite this growth, a 44-game season will stay put, with a near three-week break for the FIBA Women’s World Cup at the start of September.

LV Express: Melbourne makes Opals cut #Sport #AustralianOpals #FIBAWomensWorldCup

When you’ve been busy crafting magical pieces like this!

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The EoFY SALE is now live on the website. 50% off some opal and nono customs and some ready made pieces. Head to the website and navigate to the SALE page. Discount automatically applies when added to your cart

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An oldie but a goodie! Stunning solid Australian pipe opal. Loving handmade into a beautiful sterling silver statement ring!



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Some yumminess to brighten up your Thursday. All these Australian pipe opals are available now for customs. Head on over to the website to check them out!

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The other app is becoming a drag! Let’s see how this one goes!

If you’re interested in all things handmade jewellery and opals then I’m your gal!

All pieces are custom made and handcrafted by myself.


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