Building Better Basketball

Howard Beck - Building Better Basketball

Howard Beck is an American journalist. Beck has covered the National Basketball Association for the Los Angeles Daily News, the New York Times and more recently, Bleacher Report. Since December 2020, he has been an NBA senior writer for Sports Illustrated, where he also cohosts The Crossover podcast with Chris Mannix.
On the podcast Howard gives us his own insight into how the global nature of the NBA is changing, the role of the coach in that and shares some great NBA stories.

Dee Butler - Building Better Basketball

Dee had an AIS scholarship at 16 and made history winning the first and only WNBL championships with an AIS team. Dee as well as representing the Opals also played professionally in Spain and Italy and after 13 years in the WNBL was awarded life membership. Dee swiftly moved into coaching and has had numerous senior roles in Victoria both at Club and state level as well as coaching the Australian U19 Gems at a World Championship level.
Dee joins Neil to talk about her role as Official Scout for FIBA at the recent Womens World Cup and the trends she observed! A must listen for anyone who got behind the Opals Girls at the recent tournament

Episode 15 - Season Finale - Building Better Basketball - Jenni Screen

Elite Player, Excellent Coach, Quality commentator and Super Mum ! Jenni Screen joins Neil to talk about her return to coaching, her coaching philosophy and supports and the Womens World Cup which is right around the corner!

Episode 14 - Building Better Basketball - Peter Downs

Peter is Founding Director of The Inclusion Club and Manager of Play by the Rules – a national initiative to promote safe, fair and inclusive sport. Peter has worked for over 25 years in the field of inclusive sport, disability sport and physical activity including 17 years managing the Australian Sports Commission’s Disability Sport Unit.  Peter joins Neil to talk inclusion both in coaching and in sport in general.

Episode 13 - Building Better Basketball - Alex Auerbach

Neil is joined by Alex Auerbach the Senior Director of Wellness and Development at the Toronto Raptors in the NBA to talk about his role at the highest level, how it can transfer down to community sport, his partnership with a previous guest and most importantly the Question of the Podcast!

Episode 12 - Building Better Basketball - Sarah Rowe and Zach Schwartz

A special double header episode spanning the whole globe. Neil talks to AFLW superstar Sarah Rowe about how she has become an elite multi sport athlete, her work off the field mentoring and supporting both coaches and athletes and how Australia fairs in terms of sport especially for young girls from her perspective. Then Neil is joined by Zach Schwartz who's face many of you will have seen on multiple NBA social media sites and Zach talks about the different way social media is used in sport in America at all levels and for our community coaches who are probably running the socials themselves this could be full of gold!

Episode 11 - Building Better Basketball - JP Nerbun

In 2017, JP initially started Thrive On Challenge as a blog, and it grew into a sports consulting business in 2017. He has served coaches, athletes, and parents across the world, at every level and in every sport you can name. Regardless of their sport, level, or country, he knows that all coaches need support. Listen in for another fascinating chat about Basketball and Coaching

Episode 10 - Building Better Basketball - Clinton Meehan

Helping Hoops started over a decade ago, as an idea to provide children and young people with a different pathway to access basketball. Helping Hoops is collaborative and ambitious in their approach to community. The programs may still only operate in Melbourne, however their mindset and standards are of a global nature, partnered with Nike and Ben Simmons Foundation. We are lucky enough to be joined by Executive Director Clinton Meehan to talk about the program and their journey past and present

Episode 9 - Building Better Basketball - Jack Fleming

This weeks guest started at the roots of the grassroots and last season reached the top of the tree with the Tasmanian Jackjumpers in the NBL. Jack Fleming talks with Neil about his journey, what’s stayed the same regardless of level and what he has had to change. He touches on how he continues to develop himself as a coach and gives a glimpse into the work that went into starting a successful NBL culture from scratch!
 

Episode 8 - Building Better Basketball - Owen Eastwood

Owen Eastwood is a performance consultant and author  who’s book ‘Belonging’ many coaches have devoured recently. Topping the charts around the world, it’s crammed full of story telling and take home messages for coaches at any level. 
Owen has worked with some of the very best teams and organisations both in the UK and abroad so look forward to a real enjoyable listening experience.