Flying high with the General Roberts Hotel Newcastle Falcons will give former Hornsby Spiders junior Abi Curtin the chance to be closer to home.
The 187cm tall, 25-year-old power forward has signed with the Falcons for the 2023 NBL1 East season, and will make her first appearance in Newcastle colours against Sutherland Sharks at Sutherland tomorrow night.
Known for her high-energy game and physicality, Abi has played the past two seasons for Kilsyth Cobras in NBL1 South but was keen to move back to her home state when the opportunity arose.
“Growing up as a NSW junior, it’s really exciting to be back close to home and to continue my career playing for Newcastle Falcons,” Abi said.
After playing most of her junior career at Hornsby, Abi continued her basketball career development at the University of Denver then represented Norths Bears in the NSW Waratah League (now known as NBL1 East) when she returned from the United States.
Newcastle Basketball General Manager Matt Neason said Abi enjoyed her time in Victoria, and the opportunity to represent the Cobras for two years, but she was looking forward to playing a more prominent role with the Falcons.
“Abi was starved of opportunities last year in the NBL1 playing behind Lauren Scherf and Chloe Bibby. We’re excited to see her step into the spotlight as our primary ‘big’,” Neason said.
“She’s mobile, shoots the ball well, and gives great effort on the defensive end. She’s a great fit for the up-tempo game we plan on playing.”
Abi has also taken on mentoring roles with the Newcastle Falcons Academy Under-12 girls’ team and Newcastle Basketball’s Aussie Hoops (learn-to-play) program, assisting the association in developing better connections between our junior and senior programs.
Newcastle fans will get their first chance to see Abi in action when the Falcons host Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in our home opener on Saturday, March 18.