#WomenWillWin (Women In Basketball) - Miela Goodchild

#WomenWillWin Features – Miela Goodchild

Basketball is everyone’s game, but not everyone is aware of the kind of achievements that impressive women players have managed. Basketball Queensland’s new campaign #WomenWillWin aims to change this and empower women by highlighting players and interviewing them on their history.

This week, we will focus on eighteen-year-old Miela Goodchild. She first represented Australia at fourteen in Istanbul’s ‘Camp Pass It On’ and has continued to do so ever since.

The Major Leagues made Miela a Better Player

Miela credits her experiences in major leagues as having created the player she is today. “I’ve had so many opportunities that have broadened my basketball knowledge with the different styles of each country and taught me the adjustments needed for each game,” she said. “Being a part of the Women’s National Basketball League has been instrumental to both my personal and my sporting development; it required me to sharpen my skills, increase my physical strength, and expand my knowledge. Townsville Fire needed me to live away from home, so that was another way basketball pushed me to be independent. And playing on the FIBA stage and representing Australia is amazing — it’s an honour that I do not take lightly.”

Basketball Queensland’s Development Programs Made a Huge Difference to her Development

We also chatted about Miela’s experience with Basketball Queensland’s SPP and NPP Programs, “A pivotal time in my youth basketball was being invited to my first BQ SPP identification camp which just so happened to both former Opals coach, Brendan Joyce and current Boomers coach, Andre Lemanis in attendance”. Being selected for this program is a big achievement for athletes, and it was at the point that Miela realised ‘she might actually be good at basketball’.

After spending a year in the SPP, Miela was selected for BQ’s NPP Program, “Being inducted into the BQ’s NPP program was one of the biggest contributing factors in the development of basketball. At my very first session of NPP, I set a personal goal to make the U17 Australian team for the World Cup in 2016, and so I began to immerse myself in all aspects of the program and made sure that I attended every session. It was the NPP Program that completely opened my eyes to the dedication, hard work, body care and both the physical and mental toughness required to compete at a high level” she said.

“BQ’s SPP and NPP programs were a catalyst to my potential and my basketball dreams”, Miela said. “And, I ended up making the Sapphires U17 team for World Cup in 2016, two years later and we became the World Champs and won the Gold Medal for the first time in history.”

Basketball’s Influence in Her Life

If Miela were to guess how basketball most influenced her life, it would be by the lessons her training taught her. “The three things I’ve learned that most stick out to me is that: one, hard work always pays off, whether right now or in two years time. Two, always have an open attitude as you can learn something from everyone, be it small or big. And three, any set back is for a greater set up.” Although the lessons might be what she can pass on easiest, they’re far from the only way the sport influences her life. “Basketball keeps me fit in a fun and creative atmosphere. It’s also a worldwide sport that has taken me to nine different countries so far — it’s unbelievably amazing to experience the world while doing your passion.

Basketball Helped in Her Higher Education

Basketball has also helped Miela in her higher education, giving her the opportunity to attend Duke University on a scholarship. “I’m absolutely loving it!” she enthused. “Duke is one of the best schools in the world, both academically and athletically. There’s a great culture and a beautiful environment.”

Overall, Miela is thrilled with where basketball has taken her so far, and can’t wait to see what her future holds. “I like to go all the way with basketball. I’d like to play professionally in the WNBL, in the WNBA, and in Europe. I hope to represent Australia, and one day I want to become an Opal and play at the Olympics.”

Basketball Queensland’s #WomenWillWin campaign is designed around empowering girls by sharing stories. If there is a woman in your life who you think should feature in this campaign, please contact us. Our goal is to empower all women who desire to play because it’s ‘everyone’s game’.