A Coach's Letter to His Players

I first coached a core group of you in Under 10s. It is hard to believe that those Year 3 girls are now Year 12 graduates beginning university. It has been a privilege to watch you grow up, not just as basketballers but as young women.

When you moved into Senior School in 2022, we renewed acquaintances. Soon enough I was helping coach you again, alongside Shanaugh Riley and Noha Nafei. Shanaugh and Nick Janssen had also coached many of you in your early years, and together with Noha, as committed parents and coaches, they played an enormous role in your development.

The highlight of our time together came in 2024. You were playing Under 19s Division 1. Until that point, no Burgmann team had won a Division 1 competition. After a hard fought semi final at Tuggeranong, we found ourselves in a Grand Final against a tough Queanbeyan Tigers team that had been the dominant force that season.

The Grand Final was a challenging and physical game. It soon settled into a pattern of Queanbeyan edging ahead and us clawing it back. While they relied heavily on a small number of players to do most of their scoring, we began to do what we have always done best, everyone contributing.

Madi and Izzy W led the way, with Kate, Yara, Olivia and Izzy P all hitting the scoreboard. Adithi held our defence together. At the start of the final quarter, we found ourselves ten points down.

Lana helped turn the game by shutting down Queanbeyan’s leading scorer and keeping her scoreless in the final term. With 40 seconds to go and three points down, we called a timeout and advanced the ball. In the huddle, Olivia volunteered to take the three point shot. We figured it was now or never. Madi ran a perfect decoy, freeing Olivia, who calmly made the shot to tie the game. I do not think I had jumped that high in 20 years.

Queanbeyan then drove hard to the basket, only for Yara to make a magnificent steal. This is where eight years of playing together and your instinctive awareness of each other’s games kicked in. Yara passed over the top to Izzy, who then found Olivia on the fast break. She was fouled but made a clutch free throw to put us one point up. Queanbeyan had one last chance, but you denied them a shot and Burgmann Basketball had won its first ever Division 1 title.

The game was a reflection of just how great a team you were. You were always prepared to sacrifice your egos for the good of the team. If I asked you to play a role, you did. We never relied on one great player, but on contributions from everyone. Tellingly, in that Grand Final, only three Queanbeyan players scored points, whereas seven of our players scored and no one made more than ten. A true team effort.

Over the years, the lessons you learnt were many. Do not blame the referees, they are human as well. Always support your teammates and have their back. No one player makes a team. A team is at its best when everyone contributes. Take risks and do not worry about making mistakes, it is all part of learning. Winning is great. Losing is not so great. But the privilege of playing is the ultimate thrill. Losing is not the end of the world. And finally, remember that it is just a game.

One of the proudest moments of my career was watching this core group graduate last year. You leave behind a great legacy of success, but more importantly, a legacy of contribution. Every one of you coached younger teams and helped shape the next generation of Burgmann players.

You led rather than followed, gave rather than took. Win or lose, you laughed, smiled and embraced your basketball journey.

Basketball is not life. But the lessons you embraced have helped shape you into intelligent and community minded young women. You gave far more to Burgmann Basketball than you ever asked in return.

Thank you Izzy W, Kate R, Adi R, Olivia B, Madi J, Kenisha G, Izzy P, Olivia N, Yara G, Lana A, Bella H and Anika G. It has been an honour to stand on the sideline with you.

Gavin Page
Coach, Burgmann U19 Girls Heat

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