Today, we’re joined by someone whose work sits right at the intersection of high performance, coach development, and athlete wellbeing.   Lauren Soderberg is a highly respected coach, consultant, and leader in the sport space. She’s coached internationally, led national programs, and helped athletes and teams achieve success on the world stage  including guiding programs from no ranking to international podium finishes.   Beyond performance, Lauren is the founder of Progressive Coaches, a platform dedicated to supporting coaches at every level and using sport as a vehicle for positive change.    What makes Lauren’s perspective so valuable for basketball coaches is her ability to translate elite-level insights into practical, human-centred coaching -the kind that works just as well at community level as it does on the international stage.   In this episode, we’ll talk about what good coaching really looks like, how coaches can better support athlete wellbeing, and the small changes that can make a big difference in the environments we create.

Today we’re joined by someone from outside the basketball world — but whose insights might just change how you think about leadership, teamwork, and high performance. Benjamin Northey is one of Australia’s most respected conductors and musical leaders. He’s the Chief Conductor of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, the Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor for Learning & Engagement with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and a Professor of Conducting at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He has spent more than two decades leading elite ensembles on some of the biggest stages in Australia and around the world. Recently, Benjamin presented at the Australian Institute of Sport High Performance Conference, where he explored the striking crossovers between conducting an orchestra and coaching high-performance teams — the role of clarity, communication, trust, shared leadership, emotional control, and the pursuit of excellence under pressure. Today, we’re diving into all of that and more. What can coaches learn from a world-class conductor? How does an orchestra build culture? How do you lead a group of highly skilled individuals toward one performance in perfect sync? It’s a fascinating conversation, and I’m thrilled to have him on the show.

Today, we’re joined by someone who has been at the centre of our new Coach Development Framework which is going to launch in 2026  and someone who is living the game at a seriously high level: Abbey Ellis. When the framework launches and you get the chance to see all the new online learning content, for the favorite part of coaches, the technical ideas and drills  you will see Abbey’s influence. She’s been pivotal in shaping the content, ensuring the voice is player centered, and the learning experience to make it clearer, more practical, and genuinely coach-friendly. But Abbey’s not just a brilliant learning designer - she’s a legit baller. A standout junior, a dynamic guard who carved out an impressive college career in the US, and a player known for her IQ, decision-making, and ability to compete at both ends of the floor. She brings that lived player experience into every conversation, every module, and every piece of coach education she touches. Today, she’s here to take us behind the scenes: how she got involved, what coaches can expect, why this is such an important step forward for our sport and we will talk a little bit about her game too!

Today on Building Better Basketball, we’re joined by Sagalee Omer—Director of Shooters Shoot, a Melbourne-based charity basketball organisation. Through his events, Sagalee has raised over $100,000 to fund therapy, journaling programs, and even bicycles for young people’s mental and physical wellbeing. His leadership earned him Entrepreneur of the Year and the Minister for Youth Award at the 2024 Multicultural Youth Awards. He’s a powerful voice for community, creativity, and belonging—and I’m thrilled to welcome him to Building Better Basketball. https://www.shootersshoot.com.au/

Welcome back to another episode of Building Better Basketball, the podcast for coaches who want to make a bigger impact on the game and their communities. I’m BA Community Capability and Educations Manager, Neil Gray, and today we’re talking about one of the most important areas in sport — making sure the game we all love is safe, fair, and inclusive for everyone. To help us explore this, I’m joined by Lauren Halliwell, Basketball Australia’s General Manager of Integrity and Security. Lauren leads the work that ensures basketball in Australia is built on strong foundations — from child safety and safeguarding, to risk management, integrity policies, and creating environments where players, coaches, officials, and parents can enjoy the game with confidence. In our conversation, we’ll talk about Lauren’s journey into this role, what a week looks like for her and her team, the systems and safeguards in place across the sport, and most importantly, the practical things coaches and clubs can do to make sure their environments are child safe and aligned with best practice. So, whether you’re coaching juniors on a Friday night, leading a club program, or supporting athletes at the national level, you’ll walk away with clear takeaways on how to help protect the integrity of the game while keeping basketball fun, safe, and inclusive. BA Play – Child Safety Resources hub (Children & Young People; Coaches/Officials; Clubs/Associations). play.aus.basketball Reporting options & STOPline details: https://www.play.aus.basketball/child-safety/how-to-report Safeguarding Children in Basketball online course: (enrol via etrainu) - https://basketballaustralia.etrainu.com/training/?event=course.purchase&bundleID=3E3FE4E8-21FF-42BD-8D3F-734C9514FE79&secret=5E2104A0-BE72-CB0A-62F8BC01C42F51F2 National Integrity Framework - https://www.australia.basketball/about/national-integrity-framework  

Today on Building Better Basketball, we’re joined by someone who is leaving a real mark on the game through his work both on and off the court — Nick Haywood. Nick has built a reputation as a coach and leader who not only understands the technical side of basketball, but also the people side — the culture, the relationships, and the development journeys that make this sport special. From grassroots to high performance, he’s been at the heart of creating environments where athletes and coaches can thrive. We’re going to dig into his experiences, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and what he sees as the biggest opportunities for our game moving forward. https://www.nickhaywood.com/

On this weeks episode of the Building Better Basketball podcast, we’re joined by someone who has become a respected figure both on and off the court. Angus Glover isn’t just known for his play in the NBL and with the Boomers — he’s also admired for the way he carries himself as a teammate, leader, and genuine contributor to the basketball community. Angus has built a reputation for his humility, his work ethic, and the positive energy he brings into every environment. In this conversation, we’ll dive into his journey, what drives him as a player and a person, and the lessons coaches can take from his approach to the game and to life.

In this Coaching Roundtable episode, Basketball Australia’s Neil Gray sits down with Jarrod Moore (Basketball NSW), Rob Coulter (Basketball Victoria), and George Robinson (Basketball Queensland) to unpack what goes into a high-quality Under 12s training session. The panel shares their philosophies on balancing skill development with fun, the importance of small-sided games, and how to maximise limited court time. From creating an engaging learning environment to setting age-appropriate challenges, the discussion covers practical tips coaches can use straight away. Whether you’re a new volunteer or an experienced mentor, you’ll leave with fresh ideas to make every session count. BQ Passing Video- https://youtu.be/WgaZG5fBvNs?si=-zZYouv7-v7schfv

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. 

Today we’ve got a great episode lined up with not one but two special guests from Basketball New South Wales. Returning for his second appearance on the pod is Jarrod Moore, a key figure in coach development at BNSW, who’s always got a fresh take on how we can improve the way we teach the game. Joining him is Macs Monk, a fellow coach developer at BNSW, who brings his own insights from working with coaches and players across the state. Jarrod and Macs recently went on a basketball study tour through Europe, exploring how Greece and Serbia develop players, structure their programs, and build a basketball culture that consistently produces elite talent. We’ll be diving into what they learned, the biggest takeaways for Australian coaches, and how we can apply some of those principles to our own basketball landscape.

today we’re diving into the world of sports management, leadership, and high performance with an incredible guest. Joining us is Samantha Macpherson, the General Manager of the Perth Lynx. With a career spanning roles in basketball, cricket, hockey, and swimming, Samantha brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. She’s a proven leader, a strategic thinker, and a champion for athlete development and organizational growth. From managing elite teams to driving participation at all levels, she’s seen it all. Today, we’ll explore Samantha’s journey, her approach to managing a professional basketball team, and her vision for the future of the game.