#WomenWillWin – Jackie Brown

Basketball Queensland caught up with 16 professional female players, both past and present, to find out what inspires and motivates them. The players shared their advice for female players wanting to get serious about their basketball careers.

To kick off our series, we caught up with Jackie Brown, formerly Jackie Lear, who has been involved in basketball for most of her life and spent 14 years playing basketball professionally.

Jackie’s Basketball Beginnings

Jackie’s basketball career began at a young age, and so she learned early on, that talent alone is not enough to take you to the top.

“If you want something bad enough then it’s not what you do when the coach is watching, it’s the effort and hard work you put in when the coach isn’t around. You are the master of your own destiny. Be the first in the gym and the last to leave,” Jackie said.

“Remember, there is always someone ready to take your place, never stop learning and give 110% to everything you do, and most importantly, enjoy it as you do it!”

Important Life Lessons

Over 14 years of playing professional basketball, Jackie has learned many important life lessons. Playing in international leagues taught her independence. She learnt survival skills, a new language, nutrition, financial independence, and how to assimilate and adapt to other cultures.

“Through my experiences, I now know that I’m capable of coping in any situation. I have learned that I’m strong and independent. I take every opportunity that I am given because I’ve learnt that it’s only fear that stops us from taking that next step. I’ve reaped those rewards when you do keep moving forward,” Jackie said.

Coaching in Basketball

After her rewarding basketball career came to an end in 2005, Jackie remained heavily involved in the sport, taking up coaching encouraging others to be their best. Jackie is currently coaching the 2019 Under 18 QLD South Women’s team.

“My job is to help the girls in every way possible to reach their basketball goals and achieve their dreams and provide the opportunities and chances that was similar to what I was given. I have role models and mentors who still guide me today, and if I can fill that role for these QLD athletes today and into the future, then I’m happy,” Jackie said.

How Basketball Affected Jackie’s Life

Our final question to Jackie was to how her career in basketball has affected her life. Jackie said that her career has made her the person she is today.

“I was fortunate enough to have had some wonderful role models and mentors become my family throughout my basketball career. They taught me some of life’s most important lessons and have shaped me into the person that I am today. They showed me that nothing that’s worth having comes easy. You must work hard, then work and work hard again. There is no such thing as quitting.  This is how I approach everything that I do, “she said.

“Basketball has shown me that you can achieve what your heart desires if you never accept no as the answer. Life is too short, never settle for second best because you’ll wish you had done more.”

Jackie’s closing remarks are something worth remembering, not only for female athletes but for all athletes wanting to make a career in basketball.