New Flyer Cayla George continues her Opals career
New Flyer, Cayla George, is no stranger to the Opals program, having attended her first Opals camp in 2008. Fast forward to 2025, the three-time Olympian (plus countless FIBA and Asia World Cups) will play an important role for the Opals in the Women’s Asia Cup in China from 13-20 July.
Cayla will play an important leadership role on and off the court, something that she will also bring to the Flyers for the upcoming WNBL season.
Reflecting on her first-ever Opals camp back in 2008, Cayla said it was a great experience, and she appreciates how young players feel coming into the program.
“My first Opals camp was back in 2008, right before the Beijing Olympics. I knew I probably wasn’t going to make the final team, but really enjoyed the opportunity to have a taste of the Opals environment.
“I have never forgotten that first Opals experience and appreciate the opportunity and use this experience to support young players who join the Opals program,” George added.
The international accolades that followed since that first camp in 2008 have seen her help the Opals win a bronze medal at the 2014 and 2022 FIBA World Cups, and bronze at the 2019 FIBA Asia Cup. George has represented the Opals at the 2016 Rio, 2020 Tokyo, and 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Her international career reached a significant milestone when she contributed to the team’s bronze medal victory in Paris last year, the Opals’ first Olympic medal since 2012.
Speaking on how it feels to represent the Opals, Cayla said it was one of the greatest feelings and was made even greater after becoming a Mum to daughter Pearl in 2022.
“Having Pearl in the stands at the Olympics will forever be one of the greatest moments of my career. For her to witness strong, fierce, and powerful women battling at the highest level. Her Mum and her ‘Aunties’, not much beats that.”
A veteran on the team, her preparation for the tournament can be somewhat different from the younger girls on the squad. George has been preparing with a lot of reformer Pilates and playing with the Cairns Dolphins in the NBL1 North competition. She has especially enjoyed her time with the Dolphins as she has had a chance to play with her younger sister Anni.
The Opals will come up against China and Japan at the Asia Cup, which Cayla says are always a super tough battle.
“I do look forward to playing against the 7ft 5 young post player from China. I’ve never guarded anyone that tall before,” she said on the matchup against China.
As the most experienced member of the Opals squad, Cayla embraces her leadership role, but with a team-first mindset.
“With the experience I have, I will always try and lead where I need to,” she says.
“But I love it when everyone leads in their own way to create a solid culture of trust and accountability. Everyone has a voice.”
It’s that shared leadership and mutual respect that George believes will drive the Opals forward, both on and off the court, as they chase success on the international stage.
Cayla joins fellow Southside Flyer Issie Bourne and Flyers Head Coach and Opals Assistant Coach Kristi Harrower at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in China, which kicks off on July 13th. We will be watching our Flyers closely as they push to bring home a medal.
Join the Flyers’ new ‘Opals Recruits’ for the 2025/26 WNBL season. Click Here to register for Flyers Membership and receive details before membership goes on sale later this month
Click here for more information on the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup