The Perth Lynx and their towering new star, Han Xu, have made Australian basketball history, smashing the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) attendance record in a spectacular home debut that has the club's owner dreaming big.
A Record-Breaking Welcome at RAC Arena
In her first home game since joining the Perth Lynx, Chinese international centre Han Xu took to the court before a massive crowd of 11,064 fans at RAC Arena. This extraordinary turnout on Sunday, 17 November, officially set a new WNBL regular-season attendance record, eclipsing the previous mark. The electric atmosphere was a testament to the excitement generated by the 208cm star's arrival in Western Australia.
The record-breaking crowd witnessed the Lynx secure a hard-fought 81-75 victory over the Adelaide Lightning. While Han Xu's individual stat line of 8 points and 6 rebounds was solid, her mere presence was the main event, drawing fans in unprecedented numbers and showcasing her significant impact on the league's profile.
Owner Christian Hauff's Vision for the Future
The historic moment has profoundly impressed Lynx owner Christian Hauff, who sees it as a pivotal point for women's sport in Perth. Hauff described the scene as "unbelievable" and a clear indicator of the growing appetite for elite women's basketball. He revealed that the club's ambitions are now scaling up rapidly in response to the public's support.
"We're already thinking about next year and how we can get 15,000 people here," Hauff stated, outlining his bold vision. His plans are not limited to just filling seats. He is actively pursuing opportunities to host a marquee event, specifically expressing a strong desire to bring an NBA pre-season game to Perth, leveraging the city's proven ability to support major basketball events.
Han Xu's Impact and the Road Ahead
Han Xu's signing, facilitated through the Lynx's connection with the NBA's Perth Wildcats, is being hailed as a masterstroke. Her global appeal, bolstered by her success in the WNBA and with the Chinese national team, has instantly elevated the Lynx's and the WNBL's marketability. The record crowd demonstrates a successful crossover appeal, attracting both traditional basketball fans and new audiences eager to see an international superstar.
The implications of this success are far-reaching. For the Perth Lynx, it provides immense financial and reputational capital to build a more competitive team and enhance the game-day experience. For the WNBL, it serves as a powerful case study in how star power can drive commercial growth and fan engagement. The club's management is now tasked with capitalising on this momentum to ensure it is not a one-off event but the foundation for a new era of prosperity for women's basketball in Western Australia.
As the Lynx continue their season, all eyes will be on how they build from this landmark game. With owner Christian Hauff's ambitions set on even larger crowds and blockbuster events, the future of basketball in Perth looks brighter than ever, thanks in no small part to the towering influence of Han Xu.
