Courtside Coffee Catch-Up

Eight years after our paths first crossed at the inaugural Steven Adams High School Invitational in New Zealand — when Anzac Rissetto was just 17 — we sat down again, now at 25, for a conversation that felt incredibly special. This wasn’t just a chat about basketball. Anzac spoke with honesty, humour and real openness about the journey that has taken him from junior New Zealand basketball and NCAA...

From tap dancing and footy to basketball opportunities around the world, Tom Giles’ sporting journey has been anything but conventional. Tom’s basketball pathway took him from the Central District Lions to representing South Australia, before he spent a year playing high school basketball in Colorado, USA. When the US college pathway didn’t unfold as he had hoped, Tom returned to Australia and att...

Sturt Sabres junior Ruby Porter has packed plenty into her basketball journey. Representing South Australia and Australia throughout a successful junior career, Ruby joined the Adelaide Lightning on an amateur contract while still in Year 11. Her journey later took her to NCAA Division I basketball at the University of Nebraska, where she was one of three Australian junior national representatives...

At just 17, Daisy Hocking has a work ethic and maturity well beyond her years—but she is also warm, thoughtful and great fun to chat with. With her FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup bronze medal in hand, Daisy joined me for a cappuccino and a conversation about representing Australia in Czechia, growing up in Karoonda and the important role her family continues to play in her basketball journey. We chat...

Debuting in the Central League of the then Australian Basketball Association (ABA) at just 16 years of age, Steve Pilkington was still attending Wirreanda High School while fighting to earn the respect of legendary coach Don Shipway and sharing the court with South Australian basketball greats Mark Davis, Scott Ninnis, Brett Wheeler and Shane Ahmat. Growing up in Adelaide's southern suburbs, Morph...

On this episode of Courtside Coffee Catch-Up , we're joined by South Adelaide Panthers guard and Brisbane Bullets Development Player Rio Bruton, with a special appearance from his grandfather, NBL Hall of Famer Cal Bruton. This conversation is about far more than basketball. It's about family, legacy and the people who shape our lives. Rio's journey is a reminder that development isn&#...

Today’s Bonus Chat is a particularly meaningful one ahead of NBL1 First Nations Round. I first met Renai Fejo and her sisters, Tahlia and Jazzy, at the 2016 Baptist Carnival, now known as the New Year Classic. Nearly a decade later, we’ve remained connected through the game, supporting one another both virtually and in person. Born in the Northern Territory, Renai is a proud Larrakia, Ngalakan and...

Back in 2021, Steph Talbot appeared in a Basketball SA Pathway video where she spoke about one of her biggest dreams — winning an Olympic medal for Australia. Four years later, that goal became reality. In this conversation, we revisit that journey and explore what it feels like to achieve a dream you've carried for so long. We discuss the sacrifices, setbacks and lessons along the way, as wel...

As part of our Courtside Coffee Catch-Up Collab Series, we sat down with one of South Australian basketball’s true pioneers — Marina Wood née Moffa. From Under-16 SA State Trials at the old Bowden Stadium to becoming Opal #53 and a two-time Olympian, Marina’s basketball journey spans some of the most important eras in Australian women’s basketball history. A WNBL and Basketball SA Life Member, Mar...

Courtside Coffee Catch-Up went online for a special bonus episode with Matthew Hodgson. And this one goes well beyond basketball. Unlocking resilience and purpose amidst life’s chaos — Matthew’s story is a raw and powerful journey through grief, greatness, identity, and self-discovery. In this deeply honest conversation, Matthew reflects on the path from a shy, insecure kid who found confidence th...

Some special people stay with you… and Char is one of them. When I sat down with Charlotte Whittaker, it felt a little full circle for me. I first met Char back in 2018 at the inaugural Steven Adams High School Invitational Camp… where she was being mentored by Penina Davidson — someone she’d later go on to share the court with as a Tall Fern. Since then, I’ve followed her journey and quietly chee...

Our guest for Episode 20 is coach Tracy York. We often talk about people who love the game… but every now and then, you meet someone who has truly lived it. From Brighton Baptist Church… to South Adelaide Panthers… to Forestville Eagles… Tracy York’s journey didn’t start with headlines — in her words, she was a “very good average” player. But at 22, she stepped into coaching… and never stepped awa...

From Aussie Hoops to the WNBL — but not without its challenges. Proud South Australian and Sturt Sabres junior Tayla Brazel joined me for a game day catch-up. A WNBL Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year nominee and a product of the South Australian high performance pathway, her story is built on resilience. We touch on personal adversity, the people behind the scenes, and the impact of the Sou...

Just four weeks into her interim role this past season, I sat down with newly announced Adelaide Lightning Head Coach, Aja Parham-Ammar. Aja’s journey in the game spans continents, roles, and experiences — from her days as a Boston College athlete, to earning opportunities at Seattle Storm training camp, and building a decorated playing career here in Australia. Her transition from NBL1 player to...

In this episode, I’m joined by Marial Machar — founder of the Eastside Rams Basketball Club, now Rams Sports Group. What started as a team of friends playing in a local carnival, quickly grew to an interstate road trip and well attended trial saw the Rams grow by 80 literally over night At 18, while studying law, Marial formally founded the Rams — becoming one of South Australia’s youngest CEOs. T...

☕ Courtside Coffee Catch-Up | Episode 18 In Episode 18, Kerry sits down with Michelle Cosier — current WNBL referee, former WNBL Champion, wife, mum, and long-time role model. Affectionately known as Muss, Michelle’s journey has taken her from a quiet country upbringing in Bairnsdale to the highest levels of Australian basketball. She debuted for the Sapphires at the 2003 World Championships, ear...

Our guest for Episode 17 is Coach Joey Wright   Best known as a 3-time NBL Coach of the Year Winner, 2007 NBL Championship winning coach of the Brisbane Bullets and past Adelaide 36ers Coach (7 seasons 2013-20). It was great to chat with Joey about his growing Transition Sports Adelaide Academy and plans for the new ShootHQ Notting Hill facility he has recently opened with former player and now fr...

Our guest for Episode 16 is Lara Somfai. Returning to Adelaide for summer break to spend some quality time with her family, it was such a pleasure to meet Lara’s Mum and Dad before sitting down for this catch up. Between completing her first quarter at Stanford University and heading home she made a stop at the Nike Skills Academy, rounding out a huge 10 months. Graduating from High School but not...

Our guest for Episode 15 is Kerryn Mitchell. It was so great to catch up for a coffee and officially welcome my former teammate Kezz to the City of Churches ahead of her debut as Head Coach of the New look Adelaide Lightning.   Kerryn Owens (maiden name) played her first of ten WNBL season under Coach Lori Chizik for Nunawading at the age of 17 before moving to Canberra to play 4 seasons with the...

Our guest for Episode 14 is Courtney Schild. Currently on Maternity Leave from her role as Events and Logstics Manager, it was great to hear about her new and most import title of Mum. And also recap the amazing experience she had last year as the inaugural recipient of the She Hoops and Seattle Storm Administration Fellowship I loved having the opportunity to not only hear about Courtneys experie...

Our guest for Episode 13 is Atem Atem As you will hear, the excitement for this catch-up was real! I first met Atem during his time as an Adelaide 36ers Development player, so it was great to hear more about both his personal and basketball journeys. From fundraising to help his Uncle Build a School back in South Sudan to taking the time to encourage kids of all ages and backgrounds to play basket...

Our guest for Episode 12 is Lizzy Williamson Growing up courtside as the youngest member of a South Australian Basketball family. It was never a questions of if, but when she would find her love of the game. A 6 foot 5 legitimate centre, Lizzy made her debut at 16 years old with Sturt in what was the Premier League at the time. She was also a member of the Rachel Sporn Lightning Academy before bei...

Our guest for Episode 11 is Magok Manyang, Born in South Sudan, Magok and his family have called South Australia home since he was 5 years old. The eldest of 8 siblings, he is proud to be the first in the family to obtain his college degree – a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology It was an absolute pleasure to not only get to know more about Magok’s background and upbringing but his introduction to Ba...

Our guests for Episode 10 are Vicki Daldy and Kaylee Stuart (nee Elsdon). The junior and state league rivals turned teammates were members of SA State Teams, Australian Junior teams, and the inaugural Adelaide Lightning WNBL team in 1993. Inaugural WNBL Life Members, ​Kaye-Lee was the first woman to play 200 WNBL games after making her debut at 13 years old with her junior club West Adelaide Bearc...

Our guest for Episode 9 is Lucinda Bueti A powerhouse on and off the Basketball Court ​ Gliders Women's National Wheelchair basketball squad member ​SASI Scholarship Athlete ​Inaugural Adelaide Thunder Women's National Wheelchair Basketball League ( WNWBL ) Team Captain ​President of the South Australian Wheelchair Basketball Association ( SAWBA ) ​SA Premier's Be Active Challenge Ambassador ​ Bas...