#WomenWillWin (Women In Basketball) - Jenny Evans

#WomenWillWin Features – Jenny Evans

#WomenWillWin is a campaign run by Basketball Queensland to encourage girls and women who are working their way into the sport. Each week, a new distinguished player shares her story in the hope that her advice will inspire someone new.

Recently, we caught up with 52-year-old Jennifer ‘Jenny’ Evans (nee Reisener), a basketball coach and player who has been involved in the sport since she was a teenager.

How Jenny Started with Basketball

Jenny’s story starts in Cairns Far North Queensland. “My family didn’t have a lot,” she remembers. “Everything I received was either from the op-shops or the tip. I slept in a bed that my parents found in the dump, and I was so excited that I didn’t have to share with my siblings — although my sisters and I were still in the same room. When I went away on sporting trips I think I was the only child without any spending money. I remember being hungry between games because I had to wait for the meals provided by billets; there were never any snacks, or fruits, or sports drink, and that was normal for me.”

“I started basketball when I was sixteen years old. Some girls from my school invited me to play and I joined their local team, Kiwis Basketball Club. The club became a family environment for me, and the coaches — Patsy and George Elarde — took me under their wings. They instilled hard work, determination, and discipline, and even picked me up for representative training/games.”

AIS Scholarship

“Over the next two years I made rep teams and attended development camps, but I was starting to lose interest. It was Patsy who convinced me to make the effort to apply for an AIS scholarship, which I am so grateful for. This was a huge turning point, not just for my basketball career but my entire life. It set the foundations for me to become a strong, independent woman — I learned I could become anything I wanted to be by working hard and using the opportunities given.”

“I spent three years at the AIS and learned the fundamentals of the game. I started to understand the roles of positions and the importance of all those sessions working on ball handling. My coach believed in all of his players, and I thrived because of him. It’s due to him and so many others and all my experiences in basketball that I’ve become a better person: an advocate for young women and children, someone who’s empathetic to the disadvantage, and a person who isn’t quick to judge others for their story. My life improved and I never looked back.”

Playing International

Jenny has a right to be pleased with her accomplishments, having played on the international platform representing Australia (Opals) and the opportunity of travelling around the world. “Basketball allowed me to go to places I would never have dreamed of visiting. I played with and against the best in the world and formed relationships with people from all walks of life. I am so lucky to have been a part of something special, to have been a part of an elite group of like-minded people. Basketball is like home to me. It’s familiar, and it’s safe.”

Giving Back to the Sport

“Unfortunately, due to an injury and my age, my only way to give back to the sport I love is by coaching. All my knowledge and everything I’ve learned from watching my own coaches has become a valuable tool for me to use. The culture I like to instil is effort, execution, train at a high level, listen, don’t rely on athletic ability, and most importantly enjoy yourself. My AIS coach constantly told us “Never take a backward step!” which has always stayed with me. I like to pass that on to all the young people I work with or coach.”

When asked about her feelings towards inspiring others, Jenny is consistently thrilled. “I’ve met my role models before, and being on the other side is such an amazing and rewarding feeling. I love speaking to young women and men, particularly to young girls who think they could never achieve much. I’m a testament to the fact that you can, whatever your disadvantages are, you are capable of making choices, making changes. Self-talk, positive affirmations, commitment, discipline, and the right company are all integral parts of reaching your goals.”

Jenny’s Advice

She finished her interview with some words of general advice to the audience. “You should stay focused, but remember that you’re allowed to let your hair down. Don’t cheat yourself out of the excitement of doing something you love, whether it’s reading, writing, or playing chess. For me, sport is my natural quiet place where I can go to release my frustrations or just think and dream, but it might mean something else to you. It’s all part of being alive and being a human being. Having fun doing what you love is very important, and you should always keep that in mind.”

#WomenWillWin is designed to keep an eye on impressive and rising basketball players. If you know anyone who you believe deserves to be a part of our campaign, please get in contact — we’d love to hear from you!

Jenny Evan’s Basketball Career

PLAYING

1983 — Started playing Basketball at Tinity Bay State High School’s local team, Kiwis Basketball Club.
1983 —Represented QLD at the U/18s Nationals (Newcastle, NSW)
1984 — Represented QLD at the U/18s Nationals (Adelaide, SA)
1985 — Represented QLD at the U/21s Nationals (Sydney, NSW)
1985-1987 — Australian Institute of Sport
- Scholarship
- Competed in the WNBL
- 1986 – Youngest team to win Club Championships. Runners-up NWBL.
- Travelled to USA+China with an Aus/AIS Junior Team.
- Won gold at Oceania Games in Fiji
1987 — Selected into the Opals Squad
1988-1989 — Played with NWBL Team Perth Breakers
1988-1990 —Played with Australian Opals
- Toured China, Japan, Europe
- 1990 World Championships Kuala Lumpa
- Goodwill Games Seattle
1990 — Played with the NWBL Teams Bankstown Bruins
1992 — Played with Cairns Dolphins
- Won QBL State Championships
1993 — Played with NWBL Team Brisbane Blazers
1994 — Southern Districts (QLD)
- QBL Winners
1995-1996 — Played with NWBL Team Brisbane Blazers
2001 — Played in the SA League
- Temporarily sidelined by tearing a ligament in ankle
2003 — Played ABA with Gold Coast
2004 — Played with Cairns Dolphins
- Won QBL

COACHING

1998-Present — Coaching to young kids, U/10s to U/18s
- Coaches Senior Cairns Dolphins as Assistant 2016-17
- Assistant Coach U/14 Cairns Dolphins 2019
- Inducted into the Hall of Fame Cairns Basketball

Jenny’s Default Practise Song

‘Seven Nation Army’ by The White Strips

Jenny’s Good Mood Motivators

Seeing people (whether friends or strangers!) smile
Catching up with friends and family
Meeting random people that come into your life and you learn something new about human kindness
Tithing when I can
Giving and helping others