Zitina Aokuso, Inspiring the Young
Announcement – New State Performance Managers
Basketball Queensland are excited to announce the appointment of two State Performance Managers: Melissa Downer for South Queensland and Brady Walmsley for Central Queensland. Mel and Brady come to Basketball Queensland from very different career backgrounds but bring with them extensive coaching experience and passion for the sport.
The State Performance Manager role is multifaceted and encompasses strategic and operational responsibilities. Its primary goal is to provide leadership within the State-wide framework of member associations and to grow and develop the sport of basketball for all participants. These new State Performance Managers will work in collaboration with stakeholders and provide guidance for individual development and technical advancement through the High Performance training program for those athletes selected onto the State and emerging teams.
“Mel and Brady have been entrenched in Queensland basketball from a young age, having played as juniors at their schools and home associations. The appointment of these individuals validates the legacy of investment in the Queensland Coaching Program. Both are a byproduct of our coaching development pathways and the culture of mentorship at Basketball Queensland”
Leonard King – High Performance Director
We took a few moments to interview our new State Performance Managers about the career histories, past playing and coaching experiences and what they hope to achieve in their roles…
Melissa Downer – South State Performance Manager
Q – When did you first get involved in basketball?
A – I first got involved in basketball in grade 7 at school. Some friends of mine were playing it so I thought I would give it a go! I ended up making the school team, then the regional team and finally the state team after only about 6 months after picking up a ball, after that I was hooked!
Q – What is your favourite aspect of the sport?
A – I love the team environment – a group of people working towards a common goal fascinates and drives me. I also love competing, I am super competitive and love trying to work out how best to beat an opponent.
Q – Do you have a favourite player or basketball idol? Who inspires you?
A – I have lots of idols across many sports! I admire Marianna Tolo as a player for overcoming massive adversity with a serious knee injury to make the Opals & go to Rio. I was lucky enough to watch her rehab at the AIS and her approach to training and rehabilitation in a bid to go to the Olympics and realise her dream was simply inspirational. She also represents all the kids from regional Queensland who have high hopes of achieving success in sport – it can be done!
Q – How long have you been coaching?
A – My first taste of coaching was conducting Aussie Hoops clinics at schools all over Brisbane when I was 18. It was originally a bit of fun while I was at university and still playing. I had some spare time so I started helping out with some U12 club and rep teams. After assisting numerous junior rep teams, I got my first gig as Head coach in 2002 at the Northern Australia Basketball Challenge, where my U15 Girls South team won the challenge and I was lucky enough to earn the inaugural Trish Cockrem Female Coach of the Tournament award.
Since then I have coached various rep and Queensland North state teams, been assistant coach to the Cairns Dolphins QBL and attended two Australian Development Camps. Coaching was a natural step as I got older and started to move on from playing. I still enjoyed the game and wasn’t ready to give it up completely.
Q – What is your favourite aspect of coaching?
A – I get the most enjoyment out of seeing athletes enjoying themselves and excelling in the game after watching how much hard work they have put in during the preparation phase. To see athletes implement the skills that they have been working on into their game provides great satisfaction.
Q – What did you do before coming to BQ?
A – Before coming to BQ I was the Associate Head Coach of Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence Women’s Program. The program is designed to fast track the individual development of targeted national athletes with potential to be selected as Australian team members. This is achieved by delivery of a Daily Training Environment where athletes live on site and are provided with everything that an elite athlete needs to thrive. Including team and individual coaching, shooting practice, strength and conditioning, nutrition, psychology, Personal Excellence, physio, massage, recovery and physiology.
Q – What are you looking forward to about your new role at BQ?
A – Working with all the talented juniors and great coaches that QLD has to offer! Queensland is going from strength to strength on the national stage and I feel very privileged to be able work with such a great state body that is leading the way in junior athlete development.
Brady Walmsley – Central State Performance Manager 
Q – When did you first get involved in basketball?
A – I started playing domestic basketball in Melbourne at age 7. For the entirety of my first season, I only touched the ball on one occasion. A teammate passed it to me out of sympathy, which led to me fumbling the pass and the ball hitting me in the nose. Thankfully, my basketball experience only got better from there.
My first serious coaching experience came when I was 15 years old, as the Head Coach for the McKinnon Cougars U12 Victorian Championship boys team. The love affair started then and has been developing and expanding in the 13 years since.
Q – How did you first get involved in basketball?
A – I was fortunate to grow up in a family environment that provided me with opportunities and experiences. One of those opportunities was to explore basketball as an extra curricula activity. My family always were, and remain to be, my biggest fans. My involvement in basketball started with them.
Q – How long have you been coaching?
A – I have been coaching for 13 years. In that time, I have been lucky enough to coach both male and female athletes at the junior and senior level, in both Victoria and Queensland. I was introduced to coaching by a former coach of mine, Bob Mann, who encouraged me to coach a representative team during a period of injury. That encouragement has ended up having a profound impact on the trajectory of my life.
Q – What is your favourite aspect of coaching?
A – I believe all coaches, teachers and leaders are in the business of inspiring and motivating those under their direction. My favourite aspect of coaching is having the ability to encourage, develop and enhance the capacities of others.
Q – What did you do before coming to BQ?
A – For the past 5 years I have worked as a Police Officer in the Queensland Police Service. I have performed duties in a variety of units including Child Protection & Investigation, Child Protection Offender Registry, Police Citizens Youth Club, School Based Policing and General Duties Policing. Being able to work in a position that attempts to enhance community experience is something I have been extremely proud of.
Q – What are you looking forward to about your new role at BQ?
A – I am looking forward to having the opportunity to work in a high performance environment that allows me to challenge and be challenged by others. I am excited about making impactful contributions towards the development of athletes and coaches in Queensland. More than anything, I look forward to working tirelessly to ensure Basketball Queensland continues as a leading organisation in the high performance Basketball sphere.
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