"The Country Tour"

Born and raised in the river town of Albury, Paul Gooding is a colossus of basketball in NSW. Paul's genuine passion for basketball, along with his razor-sharp intelligence and acumen has been a blessing for basketball in Albury and across NSW. A recipient of the Medal of Service to Australian sport by QueenElizabeth I, Paul Gooding is a Sainted figure in the great story of basketball inAustralia.

Todd ‘Toddy’ Turner is arguably NSW Country’s most capped National Championship Representative. Since his early days as a player and referee, Toddy’s journey of relentless consistency and dedication to basketball and his beloved Newcastle, has taken him to nineteen Australian Championships and a similar number of Country Cups with plenty of gold medals along the way. Toddy is basketball royalty in Newcastle and in Country NSW, his knowledge, understanding and ability to work hard for his teams, his club and his family make him a deeply respected and much loved figure.

Eddie Teague is the best and most influential American Import to ever come to NSW Country basketball. Since arriving in Australia in 1983 when Bob Hawke became PM, the Californian native has become as much of a Legend in Goulburn and across bush basketball in NSW as Bob was to the nation. A brilliant player, tactical genius, leader, coach, teacher, stoic, husband and father - the story of Eddie Teague is a beautiful ode to how basketball in the country is ultimately about community, loyalty, family and love.

If Leeanne Palmer were a basketball player, you could bet that her team would be poised, prepared,  and that they would be great mates and have a lot of fun! A Life Member of Newcastle Basketball, BNSW and with a decades long history of service to the game, Leeanne Palmer is a Legend. Over hill and down dale she has travelled, along the ribbons of country oad that  our stadiums, Leeanne has carted her goods and chattels to service the camps and competitions of Country Basketball. An exemplar of good manners, professionalism, modesty and good humour Leeann Palmer is Country Basketball’s MVP.

From the moment of his childhood introduction to basketball in a rustic, atmospheric, timber stadium in Adelaide, it is fair to say that Graham Baker fell in love with basketball… That love for the game has taken him around Australia and the world and led him to place called Stockton, on the other side of the river in the entrepôt of Newcastle. Graham Baker understands basketball like few others and is a potent advocate for the game and for people who love it like him. A natural leader and born story-teller, Graham’s perspective on life and sport are rare and lovely Opals…

These wonderful young women first shared the court and a ball when they were twelve and thirteen years of age - from that moment inside the famous Broadmeadow stadium in Newcastle, Sophie Kleeman and Susi Walmsley became lifelong friends. The arc of their respective stories is uncannily similar: State champions, County Tours, Australian Champions, US College scholarships and much more, with much more to come. Both brilliant high-intensity scoring guards, Sophie and Susi played with complete concentration and broke the hearts of countless opposing teams and coaches throughout their careers. Modest, smart, tough and wise beyond their years, Sophie and Susi are two of Country Basketball’s very finest.

John Martin is synonymous with NSW Country Basketball. There are few people who have been involved with the sport of basketball who have not heard of, or been in some way influenced by John Martin, be it through the Country Tournament, referring, competitions and administration to our beloved Country Tour and Cup - John has been at the heart of it all…As tireless as the sea and as rich in story and memory, John ‘Marto’ Martin is quite simply an Australian treasure.

One of the elder statesmen of basketball in NSW Country, John Davidson has left a profound legacy on basketball in the bush. Originally from Dubbo, John’s love and leadership of basketball across NSW and particularly in the country regions of the state has seen him impact the lives of thousands and thousands of athletes, coaches and administrators. From the development of ‘conferences’, the NSW State League and the NSW Country Jamboree which now bears his name, John’s commitment and desire to make things better for all those playing basketball in the bush has made him a true legend of the sport.

Dr Adrian Hurley is a living legend of Australian basketball. Born and raised on the South Coast of country NSW, Adrian Hurley is perhaps the most important Coach in the story of basketball in Australia. An Illawarra, NSW, NBL and Australian Olympic Coach, Doc Hurley has done it all - he is the founder of the World renowned Australian Institute of Sport Basketball Program and one of the true innovators in the sport of Basketball. Please enjoy our conversation with the inimitable Dr Adrian Hurley.

As co-captains of one of the most talented groups to ever represent NSW Country Patty and Myles have set a benchmark of excellence, both on and off the court, in establishing what it means to represent the bush. Hailing from the powerhouse associations of Illawarra and Newcastle respectively, Patty and Myles have become an embodiment of the values which we hold up as being synonymous with the way we want to play the game and, despite their relatively young ages, both of these men have been able to carve out an indelible mark on maintaining the culture and traditions of how to play the “Country way”.

Rex Nottage remains one of the instrumental figures within the life of basketball within Australia but particularly within Country NSW. Originally a Victoria Metro junior, Rex’s basketball journey brought him to NSW where his passion, commitment and coaching expertise has seen him grow the game exponentially. A basketball visionary, Rex’s foresight and desire to build basketball within the bush throughout Australia remains alive through the competitions and pathways which still exist to this day. There is no one else quite like Rex Nottage.

Richard Boyle is one of the finest Sports Administrators and servant leaders in the history of country basketball. A native of the Riverina, Richard’s journey in sports leadership resonates across the entirety of NSW, but most especially in the Hunter and his beloved Maitland Mustangs.Richard’s powerful intellect, skills and perseverance has been pivotal in the growth of basketball in the bush and his influence has positively influenced the lives of countless people. Richard’s story is one of sincerity, foresight, family and love. Enjoy his story…

Vale- Scott Balsar When Timmy and I had the idea of starting this podcast, one of the reasons was that we hoped to be able to record a lot of the stories and pay tribute to many of the older stalwarts who had contributed so much to NSW Country over the years. I don’t think we ever contemplated that we would lose someone like Scotty so soon. Scott Balsar was a true NSW Country man. His service to our state over the decades is hard to quantify and his charismatic personality and love of the game will be sorely missed. A passionate and exceptional coach, his contribution to the sport and in particular in promoting the women’s game across the bush was longstanding and will be hard to replace. Turning up to Albury every year for Country Tour and being able to catch up with Scotty was always a highlight. We will miss him dearly but will always remember what he did for so many of us for so many years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the wider NSW Country community.Episode 1: Anthony FoyAnthony Foy has been a stalwart of NSW Country across four decades as a player, coach and administrator. An Illawarra local, Anthony was a renowned junior player who represented NSW Country at multiple national championships before graduating to play SEABL in Newcastle and Albury. Anthony went on to become an administrator at Shoalhaven and Port Macquarie, played a critical role in the growth and promotion of the NSW Country Jamboree and acted as a long time Chair of the NSW Country Committee. Anthony has been integral in the continued growth of basketball and remains a passionate and proud supporter of all things “Country”.