It's a good first step, but Canberra Capitals co-captain Kelsey Griffin's dream is for the WNBL to become a fully professional league so the players don't need to play anywhere else.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Griffin spoke about the WNBL's historic collective bargaining agreement ahead of their clash against the undefeated Melbourne Boomers at Mackay on Wednesday.
It will be just the Capitals star's second game of the campaign after she made a successful return from injury in their win over Bendigo on Monday.
Basketball Australia announced the WNBL's first CBA - 41 years after the league began.
It included standard minimum wages, private health insurance and improved travel conditions.
Griffin said it was a start, but there was more that needed to be done - like the minimum wage was still not a living salary and has to increase.
"It's a step in the right direction. I think there's work that still needs to be done, but it's making sure across the league all the bare minimums are going to be met and we can really take that step towards professionalism," Griffin said.
"My dream, what I would love the league to be, is something where players can actually have an off-season.
"So you can play your league - the league is a proper league with a proper amount of games, maybe pushing it out towards the 30s ... then in the off-season get that development or represent your country or get to do other things or just have downtime away from the sport like most male athletes get."
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
Griffin was happy with her return from a back injury.
She scored eight points and pulled in four rebounds and two steals in her 14.5 minutes of court time.
The 33-year-old said the depth the Capitals now had meant no one would need to play the full 40 minutes of a game.
Capitals coach Paul Goriss was able to give all 12 players in the 76-56 victory over the Spirit.
Griffin revealed she might not have what it takes to move into coaching post playing career, given she didn't enjoy watching from the stands for the opening two games.
"It was just really good to be back on court. It was hard watching from the sidelines," she said.
"I felt good. I was most nervous about my fitness because I've essentially been on a stationary bicycle for what seems like six months and I haven't had a ton of time on court.
"And the humidity. Those the were the two factors I was most worried about."
Griffin was especially impressed with rookie guard Jade Melbourne.
The 18-year-old shone against Bendigo, scoring a team-high 14 points in the comfortable win.
Griffin predicted it wouldn't be long before Melbourne found herself playing for Australia.
"I'm so impressed, but not surprised," she said of Melbourne.
"Jade was a massive, massive signing for us. Huge. Once we got that clearance that she was going to be able to play with us we knew she was going to be a difference maker and a key part of what we were trying to do.
"The best is yet to come with Jade ... I would not be surprised if I saw her in the green and gold sooner rather than later."
WNBL ROUND 2
Wednesday: Canberra Capitals v Melbourne Boomers at Mackay, 6.05pm.