From our Nations Capital, UCCaps Weekly’s Simon Peters & Michelle Hocking join us on some huge changes in the WNBL Free Agency! Mirroring these big movements is a new era in the WNBL with new team Geelong United, the new consortium of owners slated for April 2025 and competing for prime talent is the rebooted Tauihi NZ league! It's a Free Agency like no other. So while we soak up NBL1 Finals and 2 weeks of Olympics Opals & Gangurru’s … we catch our breath on a whirlwind of WNBL Free Agen...
Jul 29, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 178
In her first Aussie pod, country Vic player Jaz Shelley has circled back to regional Victoria as the first pick for inaugural WNBL team Geelong United! She has cut her teeth in the US college system for the last 5 years mainly with Nebraska WBB as part of an exceptional era of players that have quite literally transformed women’s hoops… and we’re thrilled to have her back in Oz! Currently playing with NBL1 Souths' Ballarat Miners alongside Coach Kennedy Kereama she’ll have her first taste of the...
Jul 12, 2024•48 min•Season 6Ep. 177
In a very special episode we have joining us - Aussie Womens Wheelchair Head Coach Craig Campbell and Gliders Vet Shelley Matheson a.k.a ‘Chaps’! Shelley has come back out of retirement in a stunning return to form for the Gliders squad from which she has left an indelible mark to help navigate a rebuild of the team. Her passion to assist her beloved Gliders is clear, after narrowly missing a paralympic berth at Paris in what’s been a perfect storm of covid restrictions, limited games for our el...
Jun 27, 2024•56 min•Season 6Ep. 176
In this monster mixtape episode, we’re celebrating our Belated 4th Birthday!! We get into some STB listener ‘hot topics' such as thoughts on gambling in the sports ecosystem and Caitlin Clark after our recent poll. Our crew also keep it real as we ride the ebbs and flows of some phenomenal growth & changes for women’s basketball, as well as navigate the growing pains around NCAA, WNBL, WNBA, Tauihi in New Zealand and UK Hoops! Listen out for some deep cut mythology references as we let off s...
Jun 21, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 6Ep. 175
Given the growth in professional women’s sports and increase in female athlete agency and marketability, it only seems fitting that a female led female athlete sporting agency has emerged to holistically cater for the evolving needs and opportunities of their athletes. In the next Dream Chasers instalment Lauren Gandini joins us. A former baller, lawyer and businesswomen, who alongside fellow director Brieanna Mercer have co-founded Stella Athlete Management three years ago. As an athlete hersel...
May 31, 2024•49 min•Season 6Ep. 174
Back on the pod, Justin Nelson, Head of Commercial & Fandom at Sky New Zealand joins us to share more on the recent news of the significant changes to the Tauihi League. Justin joined us back in 2022 ahead of the launch of the Tauihi League and in this episode we talk about the continuing evolution of NZ women's hoops amidst some groundbreaking changes, the rationale and most importantly the vision in play and opportunities this presents for women's hoops - players, fans and sponsors alike. ...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 6Ep. 173
We’re grateful to have STB pod regular Cazzy B return to the pod, she’s recently been awarded for her volunteer efforts for WBBL team Manchester Giants, in her role as a commentator & livestreamer for womens British basketball. In this episode, Caz takes us court-side from her trip to London’s Copperbox, in this evocative re-telling of a fairytale ending for the London Lions in their EuroCup victory. A historic victory that in her words ’…is the biggest thing that's ever happened in British ...
Apr 25, 2024•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 172
STB take a road trip down to Albury the stomping ground of homegrown hoops icon Lauren Jackson, for a live pre-game podcast with the inaugural NBL1 East Champions Albury-Wodonga Bandits taking on the reigning NBL1 East Champs Norths Bears. Joining us for a pre-game chat and insight into this regional hoop’s powerhouse is Head Coach and STB pod regular Sam McDonald, local talent Emma Mahady and a quick check-in with previous STB pod guest reigning champs Norths Bears Head Coach Renae Garlepp. Man...
Apr 21, 2024•26 min•Season 6Ep. 171
In an STB podcast first, some of our crew took a roaming mic around Qudos Bank Arena on Sun 18th Feb for a WNBL showdown between home team Sydney Flames and Southside Flyers. With the largest stand alone crowd at a Flames game in the clubs history of 6,834, the STB crew got to interview some people behind the scenes, including past pod guests and folks connected with the teams. While the audio was raw, you’ll defintely get a feel for the energy and genuine excitement of the fans and hoops commun...
Apr 11, 2024•29 min•Season 6Ep. 170
In this episode we speak with an emerging young Aussie talent Lara Somfai. The youngest member on last years AIS Centre of Excellence squad she’s ventured across the Pacific ocean to Tampa, Florida to complete her schooling with IMG Academy to challenge herself and in her words “improve on and off the court” as many elite colleges are already knocking at her door! It’s a refreshing insight into a centred and talented young hooper with big, bold dreams that understands the opportunities come with...
Apr 04, 2024•51 min•Season 6Ep. 169
In this short and sweet pod we have a fireside chat with a real players Coach in Cheryl Chambers, as we reflect on one of the most extraordinarly close WNBL seasons in recent memory. Winning her 3rd WNBL Championship as Head Coach, Cheryl Chambers and the Southside Flyers delivered on a hard fought Finals battle. We talk about some difference makers alongside her coaching approach, and a first look at the Seven Consulting Australian Opals extended squad just announced for the Paris 2024 Olympics...
Mar 28, 2024•19 min•Season 6Ep. 168
We’re grateful to have James Janssen return to the pod, after joining us briefly for our 150th episode, we wanted to hear more from the Aussie Assistant Coach of the Davidson ‘Wildcats’ Women’s team from North Carolina. He takes us deep into their program, including the pipeline of exceptional Aussie female hooper's that are becoming hallmarks of the Wildcats. It’s a fascinating look into the significant progress of Davidsons women’s basketball program over the last decade, one which James has b...
Mar 14, 2024•57 min•Season 6Ep. 167
In this Dream Chasers episode, Kiwi Hoops expert Linden Moore is back featuring special guest Rachel Taulelei - the co-owner of the Aotearoa Wellington team Tokomanawa Queens. In a wide-ranging conversation with Rachel in her prominent role at the Queens and within the NZ business landscape, she gives us a front row seat to the incredible opportunity for women’s hoops in NZ that has come to life! In only their second season the Queens were recognised as Best Club of the Year, Best Game presentat...
Feb 29, 2024•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 166
STB was LIVE at the 2024 Cygnett WNBL Pre-Awards Orange Carpet, and like all live feeds we had a slight mic issue for the first minute - so hang in there… that’s what we love about the spontaneity of our live pods this series!! If you missed out or just want to re-listen to some of the amazing guests we spoke with, including our roaming mic moment with a surprisingly talkative Melbourne Boomers Coach Chris Lucas … tune in for a FUN Orange carpet ride! Enjoy! Don’t forget to like, share and leave...
Feb 26, 2024•44 min•Season 6Ep. 165
Loz Nicholson is back in black, and Flames fans are ecstatic to see her in her home team strip. A reigning WNBL Champ; Loz is having a stellar season that has literally kept the team in the hunt! A part of this seasons MVP conversation she returns to STB in a fun chat that's equal parts entertaining and enlightening. We wind back the clock to her first WNBL championship in 16/17 in Sydney and her decision to leave her hometown, to the present day and her surprise that she is still learning &...
Feb 15, 2024•49 min•Season 6Ep. 164
Listen in as we talk with Linden Moore and Maia Williamson about the Tall Ferns Olympic Qualifier Tournament campaign. A first round loss against powerhouse China had a lot of positives given the age and experience of the team. Linden and Maia give us a good look at what New Zealand fans can take away from this game, while also giving us their opinions about upcoming games and what this campaign means for New Zealand basketball in the longer term. There was a lot more covered in this podcast so ...
Feb 09, 2024•53 min•Season 6Ep. 163
In our next DreamChasers we get a hoops business perspective with President of The Las Vegas Aces Nikki Fargas. Nikki has an illustrious backstory of her own - player, coach and now executive of back to back WNBA Champs The Las Vegas Aces. We’re incredibly grateful that Nikki shared her time and immense knowledge of the women's game, and the direction the Las Vegas Aces are quite literally championing for the league. It’s a fascinating insight into the front office of the reigning Champs and a b...
Feb 01, 2024•43 min•Season 6Ep. 162
Prior to the game between the Sydney Flames and the UC Caps we sat down and talked about the game, the Opals and much more.
Jan 22, 2024•29 min•Season 6Ep. 161
Sara Houston is a new addition to the Aussie Glider’s. Wearing the national jersey for the first time at the Asia Oceania Zone Championships taking place in Thailand right now, we spoke with Sara as she was preparing for the trip. We talked about her introduction to wheelchair basketball and the chance encounter with a successful Paralympian and former STB pod guest that seemed almost predestined. Sara is a great ambassador for women’s wheelchair. Also a talented singer with a recent stint on Au...
Jan 17, 2024•57 min•Season 6Ep. 160
Pink Hoops is the inaugural WNBL’s Sydney Flames and NBL’s Sydney Kings breast cancer round. This initiative is inspired and driven by Sydney Flames Assistant Coach (former player) Tiana Mangakahia, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. LIVE from Qudos Bank Arena, Flames player Shaneice Swain joins us as well as pre-recorded chats with Flames’ player and STB pod regular Vanessa Panousis and Kings’ player Jordi Hunter. The Pink Hoops initiative is to rasie awareness and fundraise...
Jan 13, 2024•37 min•Season 6Ep. 159
In our next Dream Chasers instalment, joining us are two female powerhouses behind some of the biggest clubs in the WNBL - Bernie Dodd and Victoria Denholm. Bernie is an Executive Director, and an integral part of the Melbourne Boomers ownership group and Vic is the President and part owner of the Sydney Flames. Both join us in an insightful look into their roles and perspectives. We’re grateful to hear from two impressive leaders working hard behind the scenes. While representing clubs that are...
Jan 04, 2024•46 min•Season 6Ep. 158
In this episode Perth local Amy Atwell joins us, giving us a great insight into the Perth Lynx sharpshooter who is currently sitting top 3 of the WNBL’s leading three-point shooters this season… just behind former team mate WNBA’s Sami Whitcomb. Given a licence to shoot by Coach Petrik, Amy has fit in well within the Lynx’ fast and furious tempo, with a confidence that defies her age in only her second year in the WNBL. Her formative college years at the University of Hawaii has helped shape her...
Dec 21, 2023•49 min•Season 6Ep. 157
Welcome to Shooting the Breeze in our first LIVE pod for series 6. We’re LIVE from the National Convention Centre in Canberra, it’s UCCaps Vs Townsville Fire on Sunday 10 Dec. Despite a tech hiccup we are able to get most of our pre-game chat before tonights live call. Thanks to UCCapsWeekly commentator Michelle Hocking and legendary AIS Coach Phil Brown for joining us tonite! Enjoy! Don’t forget to like, share and leave a review so we can get more Hoops content to you! Join us on our socials - ...
Dec 09, 2023•2 hr 9 min•Season 6Ep. 156
In our Dream Chasers series, we chat with Cassidy McLean. Cass is running her own business ‘Sporting Chance Collective’ that aptly gives athletes a sporting chance to pursue their goals by providing some addtional commercial experience and much needed income to supplement their sporting career. Cass is a reigning NBL1 Champ for the Bendigo Braves in what was a perfect season. In stepping back from the WNBL she is boldly backing herself in business to provide her peers with an opportunity to purs...
Dec 07, 2023•46 min•Season 6Ep. 155
It’s our first pod for Series 6 and in this episode Townsville Fires’ reigning Champ Mikaela Ruef joins us. A low-key post player, Mikaela is a high quality contributor and a strong work ethic combined with a genuine love of the game she’s an invaluable team player! Best of all rounding out her remarkable year, Mikaela has finally become an Australian citizen. She’s a Stanford NCAA final four player that was schooled in elite team play, an experience that has, in her words, “helped me to become ...
Nov 23, 2023•49 min•Season 6Ep. 154
Series Six begins! Catch up with our fortnightly feature podcasts on womens hoops and women in hoops. We share stories that elevate the women's game, creating deeper connections and greater exposure. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to like, share and leave a review so we can get more Hoops content to you! Join us on our socials - Twitter: @TheBreezePod and IG: @shootingthebreezepod and follow us on LinkedIn....
Nov 22, 2023•4 min
Welcome to Part Two of our All-Star Series 5 Edition. We play it back featuring our most downloaded podcasts from Series 5. To round out our All-Stars we sample the following pods (in order of listening): Ep116: Free Agency Free Fallin’ (Part One) with Sammy Mac Ep118: Lauren Jackson & Tess Madgen - She Hoops; and a first with a female director in a Bonus Ep111 Director Jocelyn Song on ‘Sòng Pèi Xīng’ the Sophia Song Story Stay tuned for Series 6!! Enjoy!! Don’t forget to like, share and le...
Nov 16, 2023•34 min
Welcome to Part 1 of our All-Stars Series 5 Edition. Series 6 is around the corner but in this hang time we really want to play it back for some of our most downloaded podcasts from Series 5. In this episode we sample the following pods (in order of listening): Episode 120: Al Kunek Forging Her Own Path; Episode 122: Saraid Taylor and the creative pivot; and Our first Live Pod for Series 5 with First Sub’s a women’s hoops community program, and co-founder’s Madel Giles & Kaz Emery. Stay tune...
Nov 09, 2023•28 min
The Sydney Flames have now officially announced their plans and Tiana Mangakahia's continuing role as part of the coaching line up, so now we can share the excerpt with Chris Pongrass (Ep132 Clubland) where he talks about this along with the team’s heartfelt wish to include Tiana within the Flames fold since her early retirement. Note: Ep132 will be updated as an extended version. Also, in case you missed it, in Ep105 ‘Paint It Pink! Tiana alongside teammate and best friend Vanessa Panousis join...
Oct 29, 2023•11 min
It’s a big 150th milestone podcast. Taped from the KICKS brewery tap room in Marrickville, the format is based on STB listener input. Join us as we look back over 5 series of women's hoops podcasting and some of our greatest memories with our global women's hoops community. It’s been a magical journey speaking with top tier guests incl. this episodes special guest, Davidson ‘Wildcats’ Assistant Coach, James Janssen. Enjoy! Don’t forget to like, share and leave a review so we can get more Hoops c...
Oct 05, 2023•1 hr 24 min
