The Rams Ready for Their First Foreign Tour

It’s been quite the banner year for the Fordham women’s basketball program. 

The Rams finished the 2012-2013 season with a 26-9 mark, advanced to the finals of the Atlantic 10 Tournament for the first time in school history and made a postseason appearance for the first time since the 1994 squad advanced to the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.

Now, with this spring’s success in the rear-view mirror and their focus shifted to the year ahead, the Rams will have the chance to experience something the program never has before: a summer foreign tour.

Departing New York on August 14^th, Coach Gaitley’s squad will head Down Under, flying to Melbourne, Australia, Christchurch, New Zealand and Nadi, Fiji over the course of two weeks to take on some of the best competition the international stage has to offer.

Arriving in Melbourne on the morning of August 16th following a full day of travel, the Rams will then enjoy four days in the Victorian capital.  During that time, the team will play two games against Australian powerhouse on August 18th and 19th.  The Rams' first contest will come against the Geelong LadyCats of the SEABL, a semi-pro league.  One of the top teams in the league, the LadyCats feature several former NCAA standouts, including Fordham's own Caitlin Shadbolt.  The following day, Coach Gaitley's squad will face off against the Melbourne Boomers of the WNBL, whose loaded roster includes current Minnesota Lynx forward Rachel Jarry and former Seattle Storm forward Chelsea Poppens.  The Boomers also feature several former American collegiate players. 

On the morning of August 20^th, the Rams will begin the second leg of their journey, departing Melbourne for Christchurch, New Zealand.  In addition to being the home of senior guard, Erin Rooney, Christchurch will also be the site of Fordham’s third game of the tour.  The Rams will take on the Canterbury Wildcats Selection on August 21^st at 7 PM.

While on New Zealand’s South Island, the Rams will also host a basketball clinic for local youth and experience some of the best sightseeing the world has to offer.

Following their three-day stay in the land of the Kiwis, the Rams will depart for the tropical paradise of Fiji, where they will play their final game of the foreign tour against the Fijian National Team on August 24^th.  The team will then have two more days to enjoy the South Pacific before heading back stateside on August 27^th.

To follow Fordham women’s basketball on their foreign tour, stay tuned to fordhamsports.com and follow this blog.