The inaugural She Hoops Cup will bring together Australia’s leading emerging female athletes, coaches and officials in a national development experience designed to strengthen pathways for women and girls across basketball.
Delivered through She Hoops in partnership with every State and Territory, the She Hoops Cup reflects a shared commitment to identifying and developing emerging talent while creating meaningful opportunities across playing, coaching, officiating, team management and leadership.
Twenty under-18 athletes from across Australia have been selected to take part in the four-day program, which will culminate in the She Hoops Cup at John Cain Arena on Tuesday 7 July as the curtain raiser to the Australian Opals’ international fixture against China.
Participants will train and prepare together throughout the week while gaining exposure to Australia’s high-performance environment through dedicated mentoring, performance support and access to current Opals, Gangurrus athletes and national coaches. They will also deliver She Hoops community clinics alongside Opals Assistant Coach Cheryl Chambers, World Cup silver medallist Gangurrus and current Opals squad members, recognising the important role leadership and community connection play in athlete development.
The She Hoops Cup has been intentionally designed to create opportunities beyond the playing group. Emerging coaches, team managers, officials and support staff will take part in the program, with every coaching and support role filled through She Hoops leadership pathways. Australian basketball legends Laura Hodges and Belinda Snell will mentor the coaching group throughout the week, sharing their experience with the next generation of female leaders.
Basketball Australia Head of Women in Basketball Nikita Vogel said the She Hoops Cup demonstrates what can be achieved through a nationally connected approach to developing women in basketball.
“The She Hoops Cup has been built through collaboration with every State and Territory and brings together talented women from across our basketball community in one shared environment,” Vogel said.
“Every part of the experience has been designed to support development, whether that’s as an athlete, coach, official, team manager or leader. Those experiences, relationships and opportunities strengthen our pathways and help build the future of women’s basketball in Australia.”
The She Hoops Cup will be played at John Cain Arena on Tuesday 7 July before the Australian Opals take on China. The match will also be streamed live, providing basketball fans across Australia with the opportunity to watch the country’s next generation on the national stage.
She Hoops Cup athletes, officials and program staff are listed below.
TEAM MELBOURNE
Role
Name
State/Territory
Player
Mya Moke
Queensland
Player
Victoria Leuluai
Victoria
Player
Hayley De Friskbom
New South Wales
Player
Maddison Reisinger
Queensland
Player
Jazzy Gordon
New South Wales
Player
Molly Lacey
ACT
Player
Kirra Munns
Tasmania
Player
Jacinta Byrne
Northern Territory
Player
Sydney Reemst
South Australia
Player
Amani Ah Kit
Victoria
Player
Jasmine Chilco-Burns (Injured)
Victoria
Head Coach
Shakira Bone
Tasmania
Assistant Coach
Sarah Sherwood
Victoria
Team Manager
Lily Hughes
Victoria
Mentor Coach
Laura Hodges
Victoria
TEAM MAGBEGOR
Role
Name
State/Territory
Player
Ella Duroux
Queensland
Player
Willow Smith
Victoria
Player
Maddison Kennedy
Northern Territory
Player
Awour Deng
ACT
Player
Tessa Fagan
New South Wales
Player
Emma Rojas
New South Wales
Player
Brudee McPherson
Tasmania
Player
Porscha Vello
South Australia
Player
Eden Catip
Queensland
Player
Sienna Eade
Western Australia
Head Coach
Tabitha Allen
Queensland
Assistant Coach
Isabella McEwen
Victoria
Team Manager
Darcie Stephenson
Victoria
Mentor Coach
Belinda Snell
Victoria
GAME OFFICIALS
Name
State/Territory
Sarah Bradbury
Victoria
Meaghan Sheehy
Victoria
Caitlin Grove
Victoria
Amy Vine
Victoria
Michelle Nicholas
New South Wales
Karen Carmody
Victoria
Vivian Hughes
Victoria
Caitlin Vine
Victoria
This is the bit where Melbourne roars. Where winter belongs to the crowd, the clash, the edge-of-your-seat moments you feel in your chest. It’s the scent of fresh coffee drifting out of laneway roasters, the neon-lit glow of hidden bars that feel like secrets, the sudden warmth of a gallery, a gig, a perfectly timed bowl of something slow-cooked and soul-filling. At Melbourne’s iconic sporting venues, the atmosphere is everything. It’s the shared chants, the collective gasps, the thrill of being part of something bigger than yourself. Come winter in Melbourne, it’s every bit different.
