'We're ready': Ashley Taia set to ignite Canberra Capitals' WNBL campaign

Perform well during a trial with the reigning champions and there is a contract waiting for you at the end of the week. Fall short, and head back to Queensland.

Today she finds herself back in the sunshine state - but make no mistake about it, Taia impressed. Because she earned that contract, and now she is in the WNBL hub with the Canberra Capitals.

Taia is poised to play a key role for the Capitals in a hectic season which tips off against Adelaide in Mackay on Wednesday night, with the emerging guard adding athleticism and outside shooting prowess to the club's arsenal.

She delivers when the pressure is on. So when you ask Taia if she is ready for the challenge, there can only be one answer.

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"We're ready. We've been training hard and working hard on and off the court," Taia said.

"We're great together off the court as well, which I think will be key in the long run. Teams that can stand each other and stand 14 games in 30 days will be okay, I think we'll be able to hold each other up.

"I played out in the Queensland state league with Mikaela Ruef, we just won our championship in that season.

"She had obviously signed here and [Capitals coach Paul Goriss] gave me a call two weeks before the end of our season. He told me he wanted me to come down for a trial with the team, I flew down three or four weeks ago.

"I guess I fit well with the team, he offered me the contract on the Friday, I signed, and we went back to Queensland to play the finals of the state league.

"Initially I was nervous about it all but the girls have been great and super welcoming. Having Mik here was really good for me, having someone I know and I'm familiar with made me more comfortable.

"The girls have been great as well, making me feel comfortable, accepted, and like I'm supposed to be here."

As if there was ever any doubt about the Queensland prodigy who grew up battling on the courts with her older brothers Tony and Taylor, with scraps so rough Taia was "definitely one of the boys growing up".

That grit and determination may yet prove to be her most valuable asset as the Capitals prepare to play 14 games in one month in a condensed season which will likely see coaches exhaust every playing option.

A season on the road will force the Capitals to play away from their home fans - but they'll get some support in every city. Goriss' family is in Townsville, Marianna Tolo's is in Mackay, and Taia's mother is bound for Cairns when they play there.

"We moved to Logan when I was really young. They had a new stadium there so my brothers and I just joined to play social basketball when I was five years old," Taia said.

"I started playing representative basketball there and just went up the ranks through there. I played my whole junior career at Logan, same with my brothers, and then I got into SEABL and the professional level.

"I started young locally and just grew from there when I realised I was pretty good at it."

So good the WNBL's benchmark franchise are looking to her to help ignite their search for a third consecutive championship.

CANBERRA CAPITALS 2020 FIXTURE

All times in AEDT.

Round one: Wednesday, November 11 - Adelaide Lightning v Canberra Capitals at Mackay Stadium, 6pm.

Round one: Sunday, November 15 - Canberra Capitals v Townsville Fire at Mackay Stadium, 8pm.

Round two: Monday, November 16 - Canberra Capitals v Bendigo Spirit at Mackay Stadium, 6pm.

Round two: Wednesday, November 18 - Melbourne Boomers v Canberra Capitals at Mackay Stadium, 6pm.

Round two: Saturday, November 21 - Sydney Flames v Canberra Capitals at Cairns Pop-Up Arena, 9.30pm

Round three: Monday, November 23 - Southside Flyers v Canberra Capitals at Cairns Pop-Up Arena, 6pm.

Round three: Wednesday, November 25 - Canberra Capitals v Sydney Flames at Cairns Pop-Up Arena, 6pm.

Round three: Thursday, November 26 - Canberra Capitals v Perth Lynx at Cairns Pop-Up Arena, 7pm.

Round three: Saturday, November 28 - Bendigo Spirit v Canberra Capitals at Townsville Stadium, 7.30pm.

Round four: Tuesday, December 1 - Canberra Capitals v Melbourne Boomers at Townsville Stadium, 5pm.

Round four: Friday, December 4 - Canberra Capitals v Adelaide Lightning at Townsville Stadium, 6pm.

Round four: Sunday, December 6 - Townsville Fire v Canberra Capitals at Townsville Stadium, 6pm.

Round five: Thursday, December 10 - Perth Lynx v Canberra Capitals at Townsville Stadium, 7pm.

Round five: Saturday, December 12 - Canberra Capitals v Southside Flyers at Townsville, 5pm.