Episodes
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We’re kicking off our Series 6 playbacks as we run it back with short takes on STB Young Guns, Amy Atwell, Jaz Shelley and Shaneice Swain.
Aussie young guns Amy (Perth Lynx), Jaz (Geelong United) and Shaneice (Sydney Flames) will match up in the upcoming WNBL season.
For The Young Guns Playlist (aggregating all of these *episodes): bit.ly/4dj4tq2
*Individual podcasts listing:
No. 157: Amy Atwell Licence To ShootNo. 177: Jaz Shelley Home is Where The Heart IsNo. 159: Pink Hoops LIVE from Qudos Bank Arena (with Shaneice Swain)Enjoy!
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It’s a wrap for Series 6!
Listen in as we wrap a momentous 10 months of podcasting that covered the WNBL, NBL1, Tauihi NZ developments & touching on the Paris Olympics.
This series featured Dream Chasers - trailblazers in the sport as well as more live podcasts - including the ground breaking Roaming Mic Live at the Q and the WNBL Awards from the Orange Carpet!
In our final Dream Chasers installment we welcome special guest Sam Tomlinson to talk about her mission to help foster the US College Pathways for promising athletes as part of her business. With 20 years experience in helping parents & players understand their options & some pitfalls, we also touch on some challenges in this space. It’s a fascinating discussion!
Enjoy!
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Missing episodes?
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Joining Shooting The Breeze is Bec Cole on a recent run of Championships, with her Waverley Falcons to take part in NBL1 Nationals Finals this weekend. Bec’s megawatt energy captures both spectators at the games and equally her audience whenever she’s behind the mic.
Born for big moments and with a competitive nature, Bec is attuned to her vulnerability and is authentic on her new YouTube series in partnership with ESPN - Triple Threat. She takes us behind the scenes of women's hoops with Australia’s finest but also global hoops issues.
It’s a wide ranging chat, covering her recent championships, the Olympics of course and what makes Bec tick!
Enjoy!
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The Honourable Jacinta Allan, Premier of Victoria joins Shooting The Breeze for a unique perspective on basketball, not just as an active community member in her local area Bendigo but also as Victoria’s leader.
In her leadership role Jacinta understands the impact sport and sporting communities can have in regional centres but also the ripple efffect nationally. We touch on the Paris Olympics and some inspirational female players alongside the importance of elevating the game through government support, with the recent pre-Olympic & Paralympic Ballin’ 24, bringing together all 6 Australian National teams both mens & womens in the one event!
Enjoy!
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From our Nations Capital, UCCaps Weekly’s Simon Peters & Michelle Hocking join us on some huge changes in the WNBL Free Agency!
Mirroring these big movements is a new era in the WNBL with new team Geelong United, the new consortium of owners slated for April 2025 and competing for prime talent is the rebooted Tauihi NZ league!
It's a Free Agency like no other. So while we soak up NBL1 Finals and 2 weeks of Olympics Opals & Gangurru’s … we catch our breath on a whirlwind of WNBL Free Agency changes!
Enjoy!
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In her first Aussie pod, country Vic player Jaz Shelley has circled back to regional Victoria as the first pick for inaugural WNBL team Geelong United!
She has cut her teeth in the US college system for the last 5 years mainly with Nebraska WBB as part of an exceptional era of players that have quite literally transformed women’s hoops… and we’re thrilled to have her back in Oz!
Currently playing with NBL1 Souths' Ballarat Miners alongside Coach Kennedy Kereama she’ll have her first taste of the Souths Conference Finals in coming weeks. We also get into her impressive college years which has shaped her on and off court, with a business savvy mind make no mistake her heart is set on her hometown roots and the desire to give back.
We’re grateful to get to know Jaz a little more in this episode… she made quite the splash eight years ago on the world stage as part of the historic Sapphires squad with Coach Shannon Seebohm - that won U17’s Women’s Gold in 2016 with that pivotal semi-finals game against the USA!!
Enjoy!
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In a very special episode we have joining us - Aussie Womens Wheelchair Head Coach Craig Campbell and Gliders Vet Shelley Matheson a.k.a ‘Chaps’!
Shelley has come back out of retirement in a stunning return to form for the Gliders squad from which she has left an indelible mark to help navigate a rebuild of the team.
Her passion to assist her beloved Gliders is clear, after narrowly missing a paralympic berth at Paris in what’s been a perfect storm of covid restrictions, limited games for our elite wheelchair teams and a transitioning squad, we get an amazing insight from Shelley and Craig on the hopes and possibilities to realise the full potential of our talented womens wheelchair athletes.
With a full home and away National Wheelchair league currently taking place alongside the rare opportunity for our Gliders to play at home amongst their peers at John Cain Arena next week the foundations are laid for a Gliders revival.
Enjoy!
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In this monster mixtape episode, we’re celebrating our Belated 4th Birthday!! We get into some STB listener ‘hot topics' such as thoughts on gambling in the sports ecosystem and Caitlin Clark after our recent poll.
Our crew also keep it real as we ride the ebbs and flows of some phenomenal growth & changes for women’s basketball, as well as navigate the growing pains around NCAA, WNBL, WNBA, Tauihi in New Zealand and UK Hoops!
Listen out for some deep cut mythology references as we let off some steam.
Thanks for joining us on our Belated 4th B’day pod!! Enjoy!
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Given the growth in professional women’s sports and increase in female athlete agency and marketability, it only seems fitting that a female led female athlete sporting agency has emerged to holistically cater for the evolving needs and opportunities of their athletes.
In the next Dream Chasers instalment Lauren Gandini joins us. A former baller, lawyer and businesswomen, who alongside fellow director Brieanna Mercer have co-founded Stella Athlete Management three years ago. As an athlete herself, Lauren has a unique perspective and talks about their vision and scope, challenges and the opportunties. Whilst female athletes across sportiung codes have indivual needs many share common concerns.
Enjoy!
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Stella Website
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Back on the pod, Justin Nelson, Head of Commercial & Fandom at Sky New Zealand joins us to share more on the recent news of the significant changes to the Tauihi League.
Justin joined us back in 2022 ahead of the launch of the Tauihi League and in this episode we talk about the continuing evolution of NZ women's hoops amidst some groundbreaking changes, the rationale and most importantly the vision in play and opportunities this presents for women's hoops - players, fans and sponsors alike.
At the time of taping, and in a complete coincidence we had just heard of the devastating loss of the Melbourne Boomers franchise in the WNBL; giving us a raw insight into not only the very personal disappointment for Justin but also the urgency to adapt with clear vision & purpose alongside the right partners as we witness momentous shifts in women's sports globally.
Enjoy!
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We’re grateful to have STB pod regular Cazzy B return to the pod, she’s recently been awarded for her volunteer efforts for WBBL team Manchester Giants, in her role as a commentator & livestreamer for womens British basketball.
In this episode, Caz takes us court-side from her trip to London’s Copperbox, in this evocative re-telling of a fairytale ending for the London Lions in their EuroCup victory. A historic victory that in her words ’…is the biggest thing that's ever happened in British basketball, women's or men's, full stop…’
It’s an incredible moment for womens basketball, with packed stadiums and global viewership like never before, but it’s bittersweet for some teams that continue to grapple with the necessary level of investment required to match the appetite of fans. We talk about that paradox, as currently, the Lions, will not play in the European League next year to defend their title.
We certainly know that for many hoops fans, they will remember the London Lions EuroCup victory in 2024!
Enjoy!
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STB take a road trip down to Albury the stomping ground of homegrown hoops icon Lauren Jackson, for a live pre-game podcast with the inaugural NBL1 East Champions Albury-Wodonga Bandits taking on the reigning NBL1 East Champs Norths Bears.
Joining us for a pre-game chat and insight into this regional hoop’s powerhouse is Head Coach and STB pod regular Sam McDonald, local talent Emma Mahady and a quick check-in with previous STB pod guest reigning champs Norths Bears Head Coach Renae Garlepp.
Many thanks to the Bandits for their hospitality, for hoops fans get down to visit this regional centre that has such an awesome community vibe.
Enjoy!
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In an STB podcast first, some of our crew took a roaming mic around Qudos Bank Arena on Sun 18th Feb for a WNBL showdown between home team Sydney Flames and Southside Flyers.
With the largest stand alone crowd at a Flames game in the clubs history of 6,834, the STB crew got to interview some people behind the scenes, including past pod guests and folks connected with the teams.
While the audio was raw, you’ll defintely get a feel for the energy and genuine excitement of the fans and hoops community - before, during and after the game, reflecting on what was considered one of the best WNBL regular season games in possibly the tightest lead up to a WNBL finals!
Also marking an extra special thank you tribute to Australian Basketball Icon Lauren Jackson alongside fellow Opal and Sydney Flames centre Cayla George in her 350th WNBL Game!
Enjoy!
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In this episode we speak with an emerging young Aussie talent Lara Somfai.
The youngest member on last years AIS Centre of Excellence squad she’s ventured across the Pacific ocean to Tampa, Florida to complete her schooling with IMG Academy to challenge herself and in her words “improve on and off the court” as many elite colleges are already knocking at her door!
It’s a refreshing insight into a centred and talented young hooper with big, bold dreams that understands the opportunities come with hard work, sacrifice and love for your sport.
We look forward to watching Lara emerge on the world stage from this baptism of fire and realise her dreams!
Enjoy!
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In this short and sweet pod we have a fireside chat with a real players Coach in Cheryl Chambers, as we reflect on one of the most extraordinarly close WNBL seasons in recent memory.
Winning her 3rd WNBL Championship as Head Coach, Cheryl Chambers and the Southside Flyers delivered on a hard fought Finals battle.
We talk about some difference makers alongside her coaching approach, and a first look at the Seven Consulting Australian Opals extended squad just announced for the Paris 2024 Olympics in late July!
Enjoy!
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We’re grateful to have James Janssen return to the pod, after joining us briefly for our 150th episode, we wanted to hear more from the Aussie Assistant Coach of the Davidson ‘Wildcats’ Women’s team from North Carolina.
He takes us deep into their program, including the pipeline of exceptional Aussie female hooper's that are becoming hallmarks of the Wildcats.
It’s a fascinating look into the significant progress of Davidsons women’s basketball program over the last decade, one which James has been integral to, but especially against the unprecedented rise of Women's College Hoops.
In a difficult development since this podcast was taped earlier in February, Davidson has announced their withdrawal from the season to provide optimal care and support to their players and staff in what’s been a season of devastating loss from injuries… notwithstanding their impressive game results.
Highlighting the incredible high and lows that athletes face, it’s clear that Davidson has prioritised the well-being of its student athletes and as James prophetically talks about in this episode - the importance for organisations and athletes to be intentional in self-care and the need sometimes to step back and evaluate.
Enjoy!
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In this Dream Chasers episode, Kiwi Hoops expert Linden Moore is back featuring special guest Rachel Taulelei - the co-owner of the Aotearoa Wellington team Tokomanawa Queens.
In a wide-ranging conversation with Rachel in her prominent role at the Queens and within the NZ business landscape, she gives us a front row seat to the incredible opportunity for women’s hoops in NZ that has come to life! In only their second season the Queens were recognised as Best Club of the Year, Best Game presentation and Best Social Media!
We gain an insight into the culture of the Tokomanawa Queens, their spirit of reciprocity ‘aroha atu, aroha mai’ that sits at the centre of this community. As well as the vision around the development of younger players including the Foundation inspired by her daughter Lily’s US College journey… that like all things Tokomanawa - revolve around Whānau.
Enjoy!
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STB was LIVE at the 2024 Cygnett WNBL Pre-Awards Orange Carpet, and like all live feeds we had a slight mic issue for the first minute - so hang in there… that’s what we love about the spontaneity of our live pods this series!!
If you missed out or just want to re-listen to some of the amazing guests we spoke with, including our roaming mic moment with a surprisingly talkative Melbourne Boomers Coach Chris Lucas … tune in for a FUN Orange carpet ride!
Enjoy!
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Loz Nicholson is back in black, and Flames fans are ecstatic to see her in her home team strip.
A reigning WNBL Champ; Loz is having a stellar season that has literally kept the team in the hunt! A part of this seasons MVP conversation she returns to STB in a fun chat that's equal parts entertaining and enlightening.
We wind back the clock to her first WNBL championship in 16/17 in Sydney and her decision to leave her hometown, to the present day and her surprise that she is still learning & improving nearing a decade later with an inspiring group of new teammates and coaches.
We’re always grateful to Loz for sharing her vulnerability, her evolution as a player and her growing confidence back on home turf that’s boosted her performance along with her joy of the game!
It’s a timely conversation leading into this weekend’s blockbuster event at Qudos Arena - the first WNBL standalone arena game for women’s hoops in NSW with an epic showdown between the Sydney Flames and the Southside Flyers in an important match up before playoffs!
Get around it, folks!!
Enjoy!
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Listen in as we talk with Linden Moore and Maia Williamson about the Tall Ferns Olympic Qualifier Tournament campaign.
A first round loss against powerhouse China had a lot of positives given the age and experience of the team. Linden and Maia give us a good look at what New Zealand fans can take away from this game, while also giving us their opinions about upcoming games and what this campaign means for New Zealand basketball in the longer term.
There was a lot more covered in this podcast so settle back, tune in and listen to our New Zealand experts give us their perspective. - Show more
