Crazy about the Game

Darren Blyth is a dedicated basketball coach affiliated with the Mandurah Magic, a prominent club in Western Australia’s Peel region. Beyond his coaching roles, Blyth has been recognised for his significant contributions to the Mandurah Basketball Association, particularly with the Dudley Park Magic domestic club.   Known for his positive influence and dedication, Darren Blyth exemplifies the community spirit that underpins grassroots basketball in Mandurah.

Having taken up basketball at the age of 8, Sam Richards take us on a journey she spent over 20 years working on to achieve her dream of competing for Australia at the Olympics. From humbles beginnings as a junior at Nunawading to honing her skills with coaches such as Mike Kelly and Brett Brown as Sam paved her way into the Junior national teams and a WNBL career in 1998 and won WNBL titles in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons. Richards made her senior national debut in 2007, playing in the team that won the Oceania Championship. Having played in Poland in 2008 where Sam looked to improve her game and adapt to the European game as she tirelessly focused on her olympic dream, and being Sam was selected to compete at the 2010 World Championships where Australia finished fifth, this along with Richards’ 2011-2012 WNBL form saw her finally selected for an Olympic team at the age of 29. Having nearly had her dream ripped away due to a calf strain, Sam and the Opals eventually lined up against Russia, Richards and the Aussies came out on top 83-74 to continue the Opals’ strong Olympic record with a bronze medal in the London Olympics and achieving her lifelong dream. What a journey filled with so many twists and turns, Sam's ability to endure set backs and injuries is a testament to her resilience, professionalism and hunger to be the best she can be is a story to inspire us all.

Super excited to share some insights into the mind of SBL & NBL1 Champion Julian Pesava. What a journey he has had along his basketball career, highlights, setback and he is the epitome of what it means to be courageous and resilient. Enjoy this podcast and the many lessons Julian shares to help the next generation of hoopers succeed! www.coachjules.com.au/programs

Dear Coach, Congratulations on stepping up as a junior coach, being involved as a coach brings wonderful and rewarding experiences along with the unknown and many challenges that have such an impact of us and the many athletes and families we meet along the way. Embrace it, its so worth it :-) Coach Dave and Coach Mike discuss some of the insights and ideas to help you along the way coaching U10's and U12's. Make sure you reach for help on our social or leave comments or questions. Check out some great resources that will help your learning journey as a coach. www.thehoopsgeek.com www.australia.basketball/get-involved/coach www.basketballwa.asn.au/coach-education/ See you out on the court coach!!

Special Edition - Some of our IQ Academy Athletes review the upcoming NBL1 Grand Final between Mandurah Magic and Willeton Tigers, while sharing their insights about the previous match ups and who ends up winning this game. These guys will be at the Grand Final on Saturday 10th August at RAC Arena, reach out and say hello. Stay Tuned :-) Please listen to end for some blooper outtakes from these courageous legends. Enjoy the podcast and Stay Crazy About the Game.