Basketball New Zealand

Tall Ferns captain Aneka Kerr has signed to return to Townsville for the 2008-09 WNBL (Photosport)

THE Townsville Fire have received an added bonus for the 2008/09 WNBL season with New Zealand Tall Ferns captain Aneka Kerr signing with the club.

Kerr, 27, hopes to add a WNBL championship victory to her bulging basketball resume and believes the Fire has what it takes.

“There is a good group of players and I think they have the potential to make it into the finals,” Kerr said.

“With Jennifer Crouse in there and (Rohanee) Cox, who is also going to the Olympics, they were a big drawcard for me.

“They also signed Rachael Flanagan, who I’ve played with before and I definitely rate her as a great point guard.”

“The rest of them have come back from college so there is a lot of depth in the team.”

Townsville will be familiar territory for the former Christchurch Sirens player, who played four seasons for the Fire from 2002 through to 2006.

But as well as the talented roster, another draw for Townsville for Kerr was the fact her fiance is based in the region.

“He’s a big reason I wanted to come back to Townsville so I can stay here with him,” Kerr said.

Injury has been an issue for the veteran after undergoing two reconstructions on her left knee over the past two seasons.

However, Kerr was confident her injury concerns were behind her as she looked to complete her Olympics and WNBL campaigns.

“I’m feeling fine at the moment, touch wood,” Kerr said. My knee has been holding up really well at training.”

The 27-year-old’s experience speaks for itself and was why coach Peter Buckle was keen to get her to put pen to paper at the club.

For nearly a decade Kerr has represented New Zealand and this year she was rewarded for her longevity by being named as captain of the national side.

Beijing will be Kerr’s second Olympic Games appearance.

Kerr, who is a dual citizen of New Zealand and Australia, will return to Townsville directly after the Olympics to begin preparations.

Townsville Basketball general manager Tony Wade said Kerr was a big signing.

“The combination of her, Tanya Smith and Jennifer Crouse will be outstanding,” Wade said. “Once Aneka heard about the squad she was really keen to sign.

“She has her fiance here and a stable job so she’s looking forward to getting here. She has played for the Fire before but in a different system but I think the important thing to her was the squad.”