IAS profile: Maddison Delaney, Basketball

How would you describe yourself in one sentence? A young teenage girl who is outgoing, friendly, always looking for fun, encouraging and very talkative.

When did you start playing your sport and how did you get started? I started playing when I was eight in the local U8’s comp down at the Snake Pit. I grew up around basketball, my mum, older brother and sister played so I just followed.

Why did you apply for an IAS scholarship? I applied for an IAS scholarship to further develop my skills and get a different type of training experience from different coaches who had been involved in different leagues throughout their careers.

In your career so far who has been the biggest influence and how? The biggest influence has probably been my mum. As I grew up, I was always in the stadium either mucking around or watching her or my older siblings play. She taught me all the basics; how to dribble, pass, shoot, play defence and how to read the game on the run. More importantly, she has taught me how to be a leader both on and off the court. If it were not for my mum, I would not have been given the opportunities to play the game I love. 

Who is your favourite professional athlete and why? My favourite professional athlete is Lauren Sparks. She is not classified as a professional athlete as she works but I view her as one. She is a local Wollongong girl who also grew up in the stadium; she played for NSW multiple times, attended American College on a 4-year sporting scholarship and is currently training with the WNBL Sydney Flames team. Watching her play in the ABA inspires me to work harder.

What is your greatest achievement in your sport so far? In 2014, being selected in the NSW U16 Girls Country State Squad has definitely been my greatest achievement so far.     

If you were not playing this sport what would you be doing and why? If I was not playing basketball, I would probably be playing Oz tag or league tag; I was introduced to it at high school and love it. Or I would be still doing surf club as I was brought up in Wollongong City club and have made so many wonderful friends and memories.

What is your favourite subject at school? My favourite subject at school would have to be PDHPE

What are your plans after school? I plan to attend my local university, which is UOW. I am uncertain on what I will be studying but I am looking into something where I can involve myself with children or exercise rehabilitation.

If you could live anywhere in the world, it would be. I would choose somewhere along the Greek Islands, but I would always be drawn home to Wollongong, I could not imagine myself living away from home for too long.

What do you do in your free time?  I love spending time with friends and family; camping, bushwalks, running, reading, drawing and swimming.