The inaugural Women’s British Basketball League season will get underway on Saturday.

To make the occasion even more memorable, the opening weekend will take place under one roof at Loughborough University.

Consisting of Team Northumbria, Leeds Force, City of Sheffield Hatters, Nottingham Wildcats, Manchester Mystics, Leicester Riders, Barking Abbey Crusaders, Sevenoaks Suns and Cardiff Met Archers and Brixton Topcats, all 10 teams will fight it out for the first ever pieces of WBBL silverware.

Stef Collins of Cardiff Met Archers and Britain’s most-capped player said “We are making great strides in advocating the women’s game and I only hope it catches like wildfire,”

And Collins believes that they are already reaping the rewards of the London 2012 Olympics, despite a funding cut.

“I truly believe the London Olympics has had a lasting impression on the UK,” the 31-year-old said.

“We are seeing many more talented youths coming up through the systems, with plenty of players developing through the national team structures.

“It was great to see the England U16 women put together a great campaign this past summer to see themselves promoted from Division B.

“The development is crucial for the women’s game to succeed, investing in the pathways to nurture home-grown talent will have a knock-on effect for top-level women’s basketball in this country.”