Posted on 14 December, 2009

Butler, originally from Wangaratta, represented the Cobras in Under 16’s and 18’s before taking up a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), where she played on the 1998/99 WNBL Championship team with the likes of Lauren Jackson, Penny Taylor and another former Cobra Tania Heritage.

Butler played one season with the Lady Cobras in 2000, around a successful WNBL and International career where she has played for the Dandenong Rangers, Bulleen Boomers, Bendigo Spirit and currently the Sydney Uni Flames. Butler also spent time in Italy playing for Schio, where her team won both the Italian and Euro League Titles.

She is currently averaging 6.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, all career highs, in the WNBL for the second placed Flames (9-3). While she averaged 11.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game for Frankston in the SEABL in 2009.

First year Swinburne Lady Cobras Head Coach Cheryl Chambers was pleased to make a former Cobras junior her first signing for 2010 and believes her experience will be a major benefit for the team.

“Dee brings experience, strength and scoring power.  Her experience in the WNBL will allow her to be a dominate player in the SEABL.  She is athletic, enabling her to defend point guards to 3 type players.  Her game is almost complete with the ability to knock the open jumper, 3 pointer and get to the rack.”

“She will organise us to ensure we get the right people the ball at the right time! She will allow us to be relentless in defence, giving us the flexibility to press & run,” marked Chambers.

Butler is excited about returning to Kilsyth, “I’m really excited to come back to the Cobras. I have a lot of great memories there and it is very sentimental to me, particularly due to Hugh McMenamin.”

She also reinforced Chambers comments on what she will bring to the team, “I guess I’ll be bringing my experience to the team in 2010, now that I’m late 20’s,” said Butler.

After the success Butler has experienced throughout her career it is clear what her expectations are for the 2010 Swinburne Kilsyth Lady Cobras, “Finals!, she said, There’s no point training and sacrificing what we do if we don’t want to give the finals a good shot.”

With Butler signed the Club will now continue the process of signing additional players for the 2010 SEABL Season. 

The Swinburne Lady Cobras tip off their 2010 campaign on Saturday 20 March on the road against their arch rivals the Knox Raiders followed by their first home game on Sunday 21 March against the League’s newest team, the Hobart Lady Chargers.

2010 Season Membership and Player Sponsorships are now available. Visit www.cobras.net.au for further information.