Coach 2 Coach

In this episode of Coach to Coach: Fast Break Chats, we're joined by Amanda Hodgson for the show's first interstate guest — a conversation built around communication, clarity, and the role parents play in junior basketball development. Amanda shares her approach to supporting young athletes, focusing on simple but powerful pre-game conversations that help players narrow their mindset down...

For this episode, we visited Riley Parkinson at his training facility in South Morang to chat about player development, skills training, and how coaches can help young athletes take the next step in their basketball journey. Drawing on his experience working with players of all ages and skill levels, Riley shares practical insights into identifying player weaknesses, building effective training se...

In this episode, we’re joined by coach and basketball educator Zoe Zwerling for a wide-ranging conversation on coaching, mindset, and teaching the game in a way that builds long-term players. Zoe shares her coaching journey, which began in high school and evolved into running her own programs and working across multiple teams and development environments. She reflects on how different coaches acro...

In this episode, we sit down with one of Victorian basketball’s most respected coaching figures, Mark Watkins, for a conversation that spans more than four decades in the game. From grassroots domestic basketball through to the AIS, Vic Metro, SEABL/NBL pathways and senior representative programs, Mark reflects on the experiences, mentors and opportunities that shaped his coaching journey. Mark sh...

In this episode, we sit down with young coach Austin Hoffman for a conversation about the “1%ers” that help build coaching opportunities — both on and off the court. Recorded inside a busy basketball stadium, there’s a bit of background noise throughout, but the passion for coaching and basketball culture shines through loud and clear. Austin shares his journey from coaching beginner domestic team...

Jerome Rama walks through the full journey of building a competitive junior team—from selections right through to a Nationals campaign—and what actually makes it work. He shares why he prioritises roles and defensive mindset over simply picking the most talented players, and how that clarity creates stronger buy-in from both athletes and parents. Practice games are treated as testing grounds, not...

In this episode, we explore what it really means when coaches say “sometimes losing is winning” — and how that plays out in a real junior program. Talia shares her approach to being a process-driven coach, focusing less on the scoreboard and more on how her teams play. From ball movement and shot selection to decision-making under pressure, the emphasis is on recognising progress, even in games th...

In this episode, we explore a different perspective on coaching — one that goes well beyond drills, plays, and game-day results. Grant shares why he sees coaching as an extension of his role as an educator, with a strong focus on relationships, character, and influence. He challenges the idea that youth coaching is about developing elite players, instead reframing it as an opportunity to guide you...

In this episode we hear from young coach Hayden Rowell, who shares what he’s learned in his first year and a half of coaching. Hayden reflects on the early challenges of stepping into a leadership role, including building confidence, communicating clearly with players, and learning how different kids absorb information. He explains why visual teaching works better than whiteboard diagrams for youn...

In this episode we sit down with young coach Ryan Rowley to unpack the transition from player to coach and what it really means to see the game differently from the sideline. Ryan shares how his playing mindset shaped his coaching philosophy, why he focuses on creativity over control, and what he learned from high-level mentors about watching everything except the ball. From valuing one-percenters...

In this episode, we sit down with Seb Lees to talk about what happens when you put yourself in a high-performance environment. From coaching his sisters at 13, to rebounding at Boomers camps, to working inside Melbourne United’s professional setup – this is a conversation about exposure, growth, and earning your place. We explore: What elite coaching environments actually feel like The difference...

In this episode, we sit down with NBL1 veteran Willie Weimer to dig into how high-level playing experience translates to junior coaching — and where it doesn’t. The conversation centres on basketball IQ: teaching kids how to think the game, read situations, move without the ball, and understand how their decisions connect to teammates. Willie shares why ball movement, spacing, screening, and decis...

In this episode, we’re joined by Mark Hall to unpack some simple but powerful coaching principles for junior basketball. With a background in both domestic and representative coaching, Mark shares what he’s learned in a relatively short coaching journey — and why simplicity, patience, and repetition matter so much when working with young athletes. We dive into the idea of  keeping it simple , focu...

In this episode, we sit down with Bendigo coach Gary Dumaresq to talk about one of the most important — and often overlooked — parts of junior basketball: keeping the game fun. With close to 20 years of coaching experience and current involvement with the Bendigo Braves and NBL1 programs, Gary shares why enjoyment, positivity, and relationships matter just as much as skills and results, particular...

In this episode, we sit down with a coach who’s seen the game from both sides of the whistle – as a junior coach and as a referee working through the accreditation ranks. We talk about why coaching junior basketball is all about development, excitement, and laying solid foundations, especially in the under 10s and under 12s. From first goals and first steals to building habits that older age-group...

In this episode of Coach 2 Coach, we sit down with Scott Christiansen, Director of Coaching at Frankston Basketball and a coach with more than 40 years of experience developing athletes from under-8s all the way through to college-bound prospects. Scott shares how he identifies talent at the youngest levels, what traits actually matter in long-term development, and why attitude and competitiveness...

In this episode, we’re joined by Cara Weimer to explore the art and impact of coaching girls in basketball. Cara shares her 10+ years of coaching experience across age groups from under 8s to under 18s, offering insights into why sport is such a vital outlet for young girls. We dive into creating a safe, fun environment where girls can challenge themselves, build confidence, and form lasting frien...

In this chat, Leanage “Dee” De Alwis shares his practical approach to shaping strong team culture — starting with parents, reinforced by players, and lived through the little things. Coaching both domestic and rep basketball from under-8s through under-15s, Dee believes that culture doesn’t come from slogans or speeches, but from everyday habits that add up. He explains how  clear non-negotiables...

Russell brings a thoughtful take on how coaching evolves as players grow — from teaching fundamentals to managing game-day tactics. Drawing on years of experience as both a player and coach, he shares how his approach has shifted toward  reading the game , building team structures, and helping players understand the “why” behind decisions on court. He explains that coaching really has two sides: ...

In this episode, we sit down with Adrian Epifano, a seasoned basketball coach with nearly 20 years of experience across various age groups and levels. Adrian shares his coaching journey, currently coaching both an under-9 domestic team and an under-16 representative team, drawing from his rich background in basketball. The conversation delves deep into Adrian’s coaching philosophy, centered on the...

In this episode, Joe Reilly from the Vermont Vultures shares how a simple moment with an under-9 player shaped his whole coaching philosophy — that everything starts with the fundamentals. Drawing on his years of experience coaching junior boys and his own time as a player, Joe talks about why skills like  dribbling ,  footwork , and  layups  form the real foundation of the game. He explains how c...

Here’s a quick intro to  Coach 2 Coach  — a podcast for people coaching junior basketball. I’ll share what the show’s about, who it’s for, and what you can expect.