Building Better Basketball

Enjoy this recording of our first presenter of the National Coaching Conference 26 @shanemac4 from @insidewais who shared his experiences and suggestions on how to manage a Bespoke Player Development environment.

Enjoy this recording of a presentation done at the recent Australian Junior Championships. This was a classroom style presentation by Australian U19 Men’s physio Toby Conroy and General Manager of the COE and Performance Pathways Peter Lonergan and focused on “An Integrated Approach to Practice Design”. It focused on the intensity modification process devised by Toby, Aneeka Smith and Bridie Dugga...

Today on Building Better Basketball we’re joined by Tom Garlepp - a coach who has built a strong reputation across Australian basketball through player development, high-performance coaching, and his work within national team pathways. Tom has worked with athletes across multiple levels of the game and has recently come out of camp with the Australia Sapphires as their head coach. This gives him a...

Today on Building Better Basketball, we’re stepping slightly off the court - but staying right at the heart of what makes great coaching. Because if we want more young people - especially teenage girls - to stay in the game, enjoy the game, and grow through the game… we need to better understand their experience. Our guest today is Fiona Sanford - a facilitator, speaker, and advocate who has worke...

Today’s episode steps slightly outside the lines of basketball - but very much into the heart of coaching. I’m joined by Don Singe, who works with the North Queensland Cowboys as their Head of Leadership and Culture. Don’s work sits at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and science-based wellbeing. He partners with corporate leaders, elite athletes, and coaches to build what he call...

Today we’re joined by Maddie Borg, someone doing outstanding work in a really important space of our game.   Maddie is the Head Coach of the Queensland Ivor Burge Women’s team, working within the intellectual impairment pathway, a space that continues to grow, evolve, and most importantly, provide meaningful opportunities for athletes to represent, compete, and belong in our sport.   What stands o...

Today on Building Better Basketball, we’re joined by someone operating right at the intersection of performance science and high-performance leadership - Rodney Siegel. Rod is currently the High Performance Manager for Wheelchair Basketball at Basketball Australia, where he leads the performance environment for national teams with a clear focus on international podium success. Before stepping into...

Today’s guest on Building Better Basketball is Adam Forde - one of the most respected and thoughtful coaches in Australian basketball. Adam is currently the Head Coach of the Cairns Taipans in the National Basketball League, where he has built a reputation for developing players, fostering strong team culture, and getting the very best out of his group. His coaching journey has taken him through a...

Today on Building Better basketball, we're joined by our newest face at the Centre of Excellence - Myra Donkin.   Fresh into her role as Assistant Coach in the women’s program, Myra is now working at the very pointy end of the national pathway, helping shape the next generation of Australian talent alongside Head Coach Mel Downer.   But what makes Myra’s perspective so valuable is the journey she’...

Today on the Building Better Basketball podcast we’re joined by someone who has carved out a really unique path in the game. Marena Whittle is one of Australia’s leading 3x3 basketball players, representing the Gangurrus on the international stage and competing against the best players in the world in one of the fastest-growing formats of the game. Marena’s journey through basketball is a fascinat...

Today on Building Better Basketball, we’re joined by Bonnie Deas, one of the most exciting young Australian players currently coming through the system. Bonnie is currently playing her college basketball at the University of Arkansas, after coming through the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence, where she developed a reputation as a tough, competitive guard who plays the game with real edge...

Today, we’re joined by someone whose work sits right at the intersection of high performance, coach development, and athlete wellbeing.   Lauren Soderberg is a highly respected coach, consultant, and leader in the sport space. She’s coached internationally, led national programs, and helped athletes and teams achieve success on the world stage  including guiding programs from no ranking to interna...

Today we’re joined by someone from outside the basketball world — but whose insights might just change how you think about leadership, teamwork, and high performance. Benjamin Northey is one of Australia’s most respected conductors and musical leaders. He’s the Chief Conductor of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, the Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor for Learning & Engagement with th...

Today, we’re joined by someone who has been at the centre of our new Coach Development Framework which is going to launch in 2026  and someone who is living the game at a seriously high level: Abbey Ellis. When the framework launches and you get the chance to see all the new online learning content, for the favorite part of coaches, the technical ideas and drills  you will see Abbey’s influence. S...

Today on Building Better Basketball, we’re joined by Sagalee Omer—Director of Shooters Shoot, a Melbourne-based charity basketball organisation. Through his events, Sagalee has raised over $100,000 to fund therapy, journaling programs, and even bicycles for young people’s mental and physical wellbeing. His leadership earned him Entrepreneur of the Year and the Minister for Youth Award at the 2024...

Welcome back to another episode of Building Better Basketball, the podcast for coaches who want to make a bigger impact on the game and their communities. I’m BA Community Capability and Educations Manager, Neil Gray, and today we’re talking about one of the most important areas in sport — making sure the game we all love is safe, fair, and inclusive for everyone. To help us explore this, I’m join...

Today on Building Better Basketball, we’re joined by someone who is leaving a real mark on the game through his work both on and off the court — Nick Haywood. Nick has built a reputation as a coach and leader who not only understands the technical side of basketball, but also the people side — the culture, the relationships, and the development journeys that make this sport special. From grassroot...

On this weeks episode of the Building Better Basketball podcast, we’re joined by someone who has become a respected figure both on and off the court. Angus Glover isn’t just known for his play in the NBL and with the Boomers — he’s also admired for the way he carries himself as a teammate, leader, and genuine contributor to the basketball community. Angus has built a reputation for his humility, h...

In this Coaching Roundtable episode, Basketball Australia’s Neil Gray sits down with Jarrod Moore (Basketball NSW), Rob Coulter (Basketball Victoria), and George Robinson (Basketball Queensland) to unpack what goes into a high-quality Under 12s training session. The panel shares their philosophies on balancing skill development with fun, the importance of small-sided games, and how to maximise lim...

Loving the game versus loving to coach ? In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome a special guest who brings a powerful mix of research, coaching, and lived experience to the table — Craig Harrison, founder of the Athlete Development Project.   Craig is one of the leading voices in youth athlete development, and he’s worked with coaches, parents, and athletes across multiple sports to answer...

Basketball Australia's Head of Athlete Wellbeing, Rhian Bird, presented on ‘re- imagining load management’; applying a holistic lens to the athlete (and coach) in load management, for performance and retention. as a keynote presenter at the 2025 @BasketballAus National Coaches Conference, June 2-3. Full video and slides of this presentation will be available via BA Coaches website in upcoming week...

Washington Wizards G League Assistant Coach Liam Flynn was a keynote presenter at the 2025 @BasketballAus National Coaches Conference, June 2-3. This is the lecture theatre component of his presentation on Skill Acquisition.  Full video and slides of this presentation as well as his on court session will be available via BA Coaches website in upcoming weeks

Australian U17 Women’s team physiotherapist Bridie Duggan presented on physical management of young athletes as a keynote presenter at the 2025 @BasketballAus National Coaches Conference, June 2-3. Full video and slides of this presentation will be available via BA Coaches website in upcoming weeks

Welcome back to Building Better Basketball, the podcast where we explore the people, ideas, and innovations shaping the game at every level. I’m your host, Neil Gray, and today, I’m thrilled to be joined by someone who has spent years championing the development of coaches, athletes, and communities—Jason Sacks. Jason is the President of the Positive Coaching Alliance and a nationally respected vo...

Welcome back to Building Better Basketball, the podcast where we dive into the people, ideas, and stories shaping hoops across the country. Today’s guest is someone who’s done it all—on the court and beyond. We're thrilled to be joined by Renae Garlepp, a name that fans of Australian basketball will instantly recognize. Renae’s playing career speaks for itself: two time WNBL Champion, Australian r...