Sarah, Sam now Raiders

By Russell Bennett
THE KNOX Raiders SEABL women have bolstered their roster for the upcoming season with the key signings of Sarah Parsons and Sam Woosnam, who are competing in the WNBL for Logan and Dandenong respectively.
Parsons, a former SEABL Defensive Player of the Year (2008), is renowned as one of the league’s most versatile players.
After spending her first six SEABL seasons with the Cobras, Parsons moved to Tasmania last season where she helped lead the Launceston Tornadoes to the grand final.
Parsons posted season statistics of 11.8 points a game on 43 per cent shooting, 8.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and three steals for the Tornadoes.
Still just 25 years old, the veteran talent has accumulated a number of achievements including the league’s Australian Youth Player of the Year (2007), the Golden Hands Award in both 2008 and 2009 and the inaugural Defensive Player of the Year (2008). Parsons is a championship winning player with the Cobras (2008), and has had two stints in the WNBL with Bulleen and Logan.
Knox head coach Heath Anderson said he was thrilled to secure Parsons, the player he rates as one of the league’s best, for the coming season.
“In my opinion, Sarah Parsons has been the most valuable player in the league across the past three seasons,” he said.
“She has torched us on so many occasions that it’s a relief that she is now on our side.”
Sam Woosnam will bring veteran leadership to a team that is shaping up to be a real contender for a top four spot.
Despite never having played SEABL, Woosnam is in her 10th WNBL season after beginning her career in 1996 with the Australian Institute of Sport.
Originally from Adelaide, the 185cm forward played with the Adelaide Lightening from 1997 to 2000 including a championship in 1998 before deciding to move overseas to continue her basketball career.
Making stops in France, Portugal and Germany, Woosnam was part of the championship-winning team Santarem in Portugal in 2004.
Woosnam returned to Adelaide to play for the Lightening once again in 2005 and captained the team to a championship in 2007-08. After the 2009-10 season, Woosnam moved to Melbourne to compete for the Dandenong Rangers where she is still playing.
“Sam Woosnam is an exceptional leader of women,” Anderson said.
“We recruited her this year to bring a new level of professionalism and leadership to our group. Sam is going to be instrumental in giving us that on court direction.
“She is a tenacious defender who plays both ends of the floor with relentless effort.”
Raiders fans will be able to see both new recruits in action on opening night when the Raiders face off for the Cystic Fibrosis Cup against arch rival Kilsyth Cobras at Knox Basketball Stadium on 2 April.