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 worked with more than 30,000 young people across Australia. Her work focuses on identity, confidence, leadership, and helping young people find and use their voice.

With a background as a semi-elite gymnast and now delivering programs across schools, communities, and sporting environments Fiona brings a really practical lens to the challenges coaches face every week.

She’s also deeply involved in anti-bullying work, helping young people understand team dynamics, build empathy, and take responsibility for the environments they’re part of - something that translates directly into sport.

In this conversation, we’re going to explore what’s really going on beneath the surface for teenage girls in basketball… where coaches sometimes get it wrong… and most importantly, what you can do about it in your very next session.

www.fionasanford.com.au