Townsville to unleash key Kiwi recruit

There will be no easing into the action for Townsville Flames ‘secret weapon’ Tayla Dalton as she gears up to make her debut against the Brisbane Capitals at Carmichael Ford Stadium tomorrow tonight.

The Kiwi star joins the Flames three games into their 2025 NBL1 North campaign after playing her final year of American college basketball for powerhouses Gonzaga, where she started 15 of her 24 games.

Dalton has recently returned from the US for her college graduation and will have her first training session with the Flames on Thursday night before a massive battle with Capitals and Australian Opals star Miela Sowah on Friday.

“I think I've learned a lot over the last five years (playing college), so I'm able to bring a bit of experience here,” Dalton said.

“I love playing defence, you know, I love to hustle out there and we're coming up against Miela who's an Australian superstar, so that's going to be a good challenge for me.

“I can bring some scoring ability and then just some leadership too. I know we've got a lot of younger girls in the team, so that will be fun to kind of guide them on the court. .

“I’ve never played NBL1 before and have been in America for the last five years so it’s great to play closer to home and just give my all for Townsville and our fans.”

The New Zealand international comes from a strong sporting lineage, with her late mother Tania winning the Netball World Championships with the Silver Ferns in 2003 while her dad Duane is a former surf lifesaving world champion.

Her auntie Jess Foley is also well-known as a former Townsville Fire star, with Foley excited to continue the family legacy.

“I told my auntie Townsville might be an option, and she was really supportive and encouraged me to do it,” Dalton said.

“After my time in the US it’s great to come here and be a part of a community where everyone knows everyone and is just super supportive.

“Townsville is the right place to be for me so I'm really excited to finally get back closer to home soil and give it a crack. And yeah, playing WNBL is definitely the goal.”

The Townsville Flames host the Brisbane Capitals at 6pm Friday night before the Heat’s game at 8pm at Carmichael Ford Stadium.