Building Better Basketball

Emma Doherty - Building Better Basketball

Neil is joined by someone who fills a vital role in sport which is uncommon in Basketball currently but on the rise. A 3 time WNCL winning support staff member, a soon to be one time Sheffield Shield winning staff member hopefully, Emma Doherty is the player Development Manager for Cricket Tasmania and she is going to share with us some insight about her role and hopefully give you some ideas about areas we could investigate in basketball 

Jason Smith- Building Better Basketball

His twin brother has been on the pod before he left our BA team for the Apple Isle and the Jackjumpers and he was someone I have been trying to get for a while! Now he is full time with BA as our Executive GM - High Performance & National Teams I finally managed to get 3 x NBl champion, 2005 NBL MVP, 2 time Olympian and former Boomers captain Jason Smith on the podcast. Jason is someone who is a very big supporter of coaching and coach development and has played a big part in the increased access we have been able to share with you in the recent years with the national teams when they are in Australia

Mackenzie Stewart - Building Better Basketball

Today is a bit of a special episode, Neil is joined by the 2023 Ford Aussie Hoops Coach of the year, Mackenzie Stewart from the Cockburn Cougars in Western Australia.
I’m just going to include the section from the nomination form that got Mackenzie the award, and then you will hear my chat with her and hopefully you are as impressed as I am by a young lady with a very bright future in coaching basketball if she wants it.
Mackenzie continues to focus on providing high quality programs that offer development of basketball skills, fundamentals and gameplay understanding for all junior skill levels. Meaning our programs meet both participation and performance needs for our community.She actively researches other sports introductory programs identifying new concepts, variety of coaching styles, different sporting contexts, training regiments, and socialenvironments that may have a positive influence on our programs for our athletes.As Mackenzie continues her coaching pathway, she is invested in providing high quality leadership and mentoring to our developing coaches, ensuring opportunities for all andfosters a life-long support for the game.She is a harmoniously passionate coach, who ensures all participants experience happy emotions whenever she is involved in coaching the Aussie Hoops program. She hasgreat satisfaction when she sees participants gradate from our Aussie Hoops programs into our Domestic Competition and other programs.As a dedicated volunteer, she aims to teach people how to play the game and compete. She recognizes there is a need to support other volunteers within our community with high quality, consistent, accessible coaching and upskilling. This is fundamental to the development of players, coaches, pathways in sport and of the game in Australia.
 

Jarrod Moore - Building Better Basketball

Neil is joined by Jarrod Moore, the Coach Development Manager from Basketball NSW. The discussion covers nurturing confidence, balancing development levels and the age old debate is there a difference between teaching and coaching!

Sami Whitcomb - Building Better Basketball

In today's episode, we are thrilled to delve into the inspiring journey and expertise of Opal Sami Whitcomb, a dynamic force in the world of basketball. With an impressive career spanning both domestic and international arenas, Sami's unique insights, skillset, and dedication to the game make her a standout figure in the basketball community. Join us as we explore her experiences, insights, and the invaluable lessons she brings to the court, offering our listeners a wealth of knowledge for building better basketball skills and strategies.

Tyrone Thwaites - Building Better Basketball

Welcome back to season 4 of Building Better Basketball. Neil Gray Game Development Manager at Basketball Australia is joined by Tyrone Thwaites from the Cockburn Basketball Association in Western Australia. Cockburn are an association with 336 teams, the largest Aussie Hoops program in Australia for 2 years running and home to a Womens NBL1 Championship side and an NBL 1 Coach of the year who also happens to be their Chief executive Officer! No prizes for guessing that’s Tyrone!

JP Nerbun - The Sports Parent Solution - Building Better Basketball

Our first return guest on Building Better Basketball and he is back to talk about one of the biggest issue that coaches face, PARENTS!
He has a fantastic new book out called the Sports Parent Solution and in this episode he dives into the questions, the solutions and the experiences in that book across the vast spectrum of parent involvement in the game.
 
A must listen for any coach working with young athletes!

Mark Alabakov - Building Better Basketball

Todays guest is Mark Alabakov, the NBL1 Championship winning coach with the Bendigo Braves. Mark has also had significant involvement at the WNBL level with the Bendigo Spirit, Melbourne Boomers, Townsville Fire and the Sydney Uni Flames as they then were as well as an understanding of Basketball at the community level with Diamond Valley Basketball Association.
On this episode, we'll talk about the incredible season Mark and the Braves have just had and the secrets behind the championship success.

David Herbert - Building Better Baskebtall

Todays guest is David Herbert, the Centre of Excellence Women’s Program Head Coach. David has over 25 years of experience within the Basketball Australia pathways having coached in the NBL1, WNBL, National Junior Championships and as a national team's Head Coach. David is the current head coach of the Ballarat Miners NBL1 women’s team. David has received numerous coaching accolades including WNBL Coach of the Year, Coach of the Year Victoria and Queensland and the SEABL coach of the year

Nick Cox - Building Better Basketball

Todays guest is Nick Cox, the Director of Academy at Manchester United. Nick Cox is renowned for his commitment to developing a holistic approach to youth development, focusing not just on technical skills, but also on character, education, and personal growth. His dedication to building a strong foundation for the future of Manchester United has earned him the respect and admiration of football enthusiasts worldwide.
Throughout his career, Nick has had the privilege of working with some of the brightest young talents in the game, shaping them into the stars of tomorrow. Under his guidance, Manchester United's youth teams have achieved remarkable success, with numerous players progressing to the first team and representing their countries at the highest level.
On this episode, we'll delve into the intricacies of talent development, the challenges faced by young players, and the importance of creating a nurturing environment for them to thrive.