Opals keen to resolve Cambage saga

Opals coach Brendan Joyce says he is looking forward to Liz Cambage returning to the national team and work through her issues with Basketball Australia.

Opals coach Brendan Joyce doesn't anticipate any bad blood when superstar Liz Cambage reunites with the Australian women's basketball team in coming months.

Cambage was left out of the squad for last year's Olympic qualifying series against New Zealand after skipping a mandatory training camp for a paid job at a music festival.

She went on to play in China but was back in Melbourne this week.

The 24-year-old told the Herald Sun she still had issues with Basketball Australia but hoped to resolve them before the Opals begin their Rio Olympics campaign.

"There are still things we need to work out as a team," she told the newspaper.

"I've sat down privately with our CEO Anthony Moore, who has privately apologised to me.

"I haven't spoken to the coach Brendan Joyce or any of my teammates.

"But now that I am coming back to Australia hopefully we can find the time to work it all out, because all I want to do is represent my country and do what I do best."

Joyce said he has spoken to Cambage twice since the drama, wishing her well in China and offering to send a physiotherapist to monitor her progress - which BA did in late November.

"But there was no point delving into anything until we come back together as a group," Joyce told AAP on Wednesday.

"What happened happened, and there are consequences to what happened. It's about moving onto the next challenge."

The Opals have four team camps - plus two tours - between now and the Rio Olympics, with the first starting late March in Canberra.

Joyce said he was looking forward to Cambage returning to the program and ironing things out.

"Once we're together I don't see it being difficult," he added.

"She hasn't been here and we haven't been together as a group again to have the discussion.

"We've pretty much left her alone to just focus on what she's doing in China and we'll manage that situation once we get together.

"I think we'll be moving on pretty quickly and focus on being successful at the Olympic Games."


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Source: AAP



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