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 a simple but important question:

How do we help young athletes thrive – not just in sport, but in life?

From foundational movement to motivation science, Craig is all about the long game – developing robust, resilient, and well-rounded kids who stay in sport because they love it.

So whether you’re coaching U12s at the local stadium or leading a junior program for your club, this conversation is packed with insight, real talk, and ideas you can apply right away.

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 weeks

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 voice in youth sports development. With a background that spans grassroots coaching, nonprofit leadership, and national advocacy, Jason brings a unique blend of practical experience and big-picture thinking to everything he does.

In this episode, we’ll dive into how to build positive, player-first environments, what great coaching really looks like beyond the Xs and Os, and why character development belongs at the heart of sport. Whether you're a coach, parent, or administrator, you’re going to walk away with tools and insights to help you build better basketball in your own backyard.

https://positivecoach.org/

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 representative, and one of the league’s most reliable scorers during her prime. But it’s what she’s done after her playing days that really sets her apart. As a coach, Renae has continued to make an impact—developing talent, building inclusive pathways, and inspiring the next generation of players and coaches.

In this episode, we’ll explore Renae’s transition from elite athlete to Coach, the lessons she's learned along the way, and what she believes makes a truly great coach—at every level of the game.

So whether you're coaching under-10s or just love hearing from passionate basketball minds, this one’s for you.

If you only remember one thing from this weeks episode - Feel the fear and do it anyway.

https://www.australia.basketball/news/4252689/selection-camp-for-gems-ahead-of-u19-fiba-womens-world-cup

Today, we’re incredibly excited to be joined by one of the most respected coaches in Australian basketball — Shannon Seebohm.

Shannon is the current head coach of the Townsville Fire in the WNBL, where he’s led the team to multiple finals campaigns, including a WNBL Championship. Known for his high-performance mindset, attention to detail, and ability to build strong, connected teams, Shannon has also played a pivotal role in the development of young athletes, with a strong track record at the junior national level, including coaching Australia’s U17 and U19 women’s teams on the world stage and his role as Assistant Coach with our Olympic Medal winning Opals.

Whether it's creating a winning team culture or mentoring the next generation of talent, Shannon brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to everything he does — and today, he’s here to share his journey, his coaching insights, and what he believes matters most when it comes to building better basketball in Australia.

Joining us on this episode is Kylie Cox, the founder of The Healthy Athlete Project. Kylie is a physiotherapist and female athlete health educator who has been at the forefront of raising awareness around key health considerations for young women in sport. Through her work, she’s helping athletes, coaches, and parents understand the unique challenges female athletes face and how we can better support their development both on and off the court.

In this episode, we’ll explore health related challenges, practical coaching applications and how coaches can create environments that promote both high performance and long-term health.

Joining us on this episode is Michael Inglis, a Sport and Performance Psychologist and the Co-Founder of The Mind Room, a leading wellbeing and performance psychology clinic in Melbourne. Michael has worked extensively across multiple sports, including AFL, Basketball, cricket, rugby, and football, helping athletes, teams, and coaches develop the mental skills needed to perform at their best.

We’re going to chat about the role of mental skills  in basketball, how coaches can support players in this space, and some practical strategies to help athletes manage pressure, improve focus, and build resilience.

Today, we’re joined by someone who’s making a real impact on the way coaches think, teach, and engage with their players.

Jack Rolfe is the founder of The Coaching Lab, a globally recognized resource dedicated to making learning more game-like, engaging, and player-centered. Through his innovative MatchPlay Cards and creative approach to coaching, Jack helps coaches of all sports challenge traditional thinking and create environments where athletes can develop decision-making, problem-solving, and adaptability on the court.

We’ll be talking about the role of constraints, questioning, and creativity in coaching, and how basketball coaches can apply these ideas to help their players thrive.