Courtside Coffee Catch-Up

Kerry Waller

5.0 (2)
Sport
Updated Weekly

Why C3? Courtside - Basketball has been my life Coffee - Is life at this point Catch-Up - I LOVE a chat and connecting The concept is simple, organic and authentic conversations with great people across the sporting landscape.

1 June

Steph Talbot - C3 x Adelaide Lightning

Back in 2021, Steph Talbot appeared in a Basketball SA Pathway video where she spoke about one of her biggest dreams — winning an Olympic medal for Australia. Four years later, that goal became reality. In this conversation, we revisit that journey and explore what it feels like to achieve a dream you've carried for so long. We discuss the sacrifices, setbacks and lessons along the way, as well as the leadership growth that has shaped Steph both on and off the court. As captain of the Adelaide Lightning, Steph reflects on how her approach to leadership has evolved throughout her career, and the responsibility she now feels as both a leader and role model for the next generation of players coming through South Australian basketball. We also explore the impact role models had on her own journey and the importance of visibility and representation for young athletes. That includes players like Aspen Crase, who are now coming through the pathway and benefiting from seeing athletes like Steph achieve success on the world stage while remaining connected to their South Australian roots. Beyond basketball, we talk about Steph's deep connection to home. Despite a career that has taken her around the world, she shares why returning to Adelaide remains so important, what it means to represent her home state through the Adelaide Lightning, and how she balances the demands of international basketball, WNBA commitments and national team duties. Away from the court, we also learn about the things that help her reset and stay grounded — including her love of the water and finding moments of balance amid the relentless schedule of professional sport. But as every elite athlete knows, reaching one goal doesn't mean the journey is complete. We discuss the ambitions that continue to drive her — earning selection for the Australian team at the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin and helping deliver a long-awaited WNBL Championship for the Adelaide Lightning. This is a conversation about dreams, leadership, resilience, representation, home, and the responsibility that comes with inspiring those who follow behind you. Because sometimes achieving the dream isn't the end of the story — it's the beginning of the next chapter.

16 min
28 May

Marina Wood (Nee Moffa) - C3 Collab

As part of our Courtside Coffee Catch-Up Collab Series, we sat down with one of South Australian basketball’s true pioneers — Marina Wood née Moffa. From Under-16 SA State Trials at the old Bowden Stadium to becoming Opal #53 and a two-time Olympian, Marina’s basketball journey spans some of the most important eras in Australian women’s basketball history. A WNBL and Basketball SA Life Member, Marina represented Australia at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, competed at the 1990 World Championship in Malaysia, and helped establish both North Adelaide and the Adelaide Lightning as powerhouse programs during the formative years of the WNBL. In this episode, we reflect on the evolution of the women’s game, the culture and community surrounding basketball in South Australia, and the people who helped shape those pathways — including legendary basketball figures Lee Prettejohn and Margie Wiliamson. There are also some special full-circle connections to today’s generation through Ruby Porter, Jordy and Maddie Freer, and the families who continue to shape the basketball community today. This is a conversation about legacy, resilience, community and the foundations that helped build the women’s game in Australia.

13 min
7 May · Bonus

C3 with Matthew Hodgson

Courtside Coffee Catch-Up went online for a special bonus episode with Matthew Hodgson. And this one goes well beyond basketball. Unlocking resilience and purpose amidst life’s chaos — Matthew’s story is a raw and powerful journey through grief, greatness, identity, and self-discovery. In this deeply honest conversation, Matthew reflects on the path from a shy, insecure kid who found confidence through basketball… to navigating the highs and heartbreak that come with elite sport and life itself. From championships and career-defining moments, to injury setbacks, mental health struggles, and the unimaginable grief of losing a child — Matthew speaks openly about rejection, pain, purpose, and learning that self-worth can’t be tied solely to achievement. We touch on: 🏀 The mindset and mental frameworks used by elite athletes💭 Managing grief, injury, and mental health in high-pressure environments ❤️ Vulnerability, honesty, and the importance of human connection 🔥 How trauma and loss can shape purpose and perspective ⚡ Why authenticity matters more than external validation This isn’t a polished athlete interview. It’s honest. Human. And a reminder that even in our hardest moments, there can still be growth, clarity, and purpose on the other side. Trigger Warning: Pregnancy and Infant Loss. This content discusses pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and newborn death. 10-15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, with 1 in 100 impacted by stillbirth. If you are experiencing distress, please reach out for support. If you have urgent symptoms like heavy bleeding or pain, call emergency services immediately

1hr 49min
20 Apr

Charlotte Whittaker - C3 x Adelaide Lightning 25/26 Season

Some special people stay with you… and Char is one of them. When I sat down with Charlotte Whittaker, it felt a little full circle for me. I first met Char back in 2018 at the inaugural Steven Adams High School Invitational Camp… where she was being mentored by Penina Davidson — someone she’d later go on to share the court with as a Tall Fern. Since then, I’ve followed her journey and quietly cheered her on from afar. So to see her arrive here in Adelaide for her WNBL debut with the Adelaide Lightning — and then get the chance to actually sit down and have this conversation — it was pretty special. Because when you look at her journey, it’s taken her everywhere. From a small town in North Canterbury to representing New Zealand as a Junior Tall Fern… to five years with the Colorado Buffaloes women’s basketball, building a 114-game Division I career… to winning a championship in France. On the surface, it looks like a journey that just kept building. But that’s not the full story. Because in the middle of it all, Charlotte was diagnosed with degenerative hip dysplasia — and suddenly, the game she’d built her life around was at risk of being taken away. We’re talking about a choice between walking away… or going through multiple major surgeries for a 15 percent chance of ever playing again. And still… she chose to back herself. That part of the conversation — the honesty, the uncertainty, the resilience — that’s what stayed with me. And now, reflecting on her choice to return home to New Zealand… suiting up for Mainland Pouākai in the Tauihi league, making her Tall Ferns debut alongside her sister… before stepping into the WNBL — it just adds another layer to her story. Full circle — but earned. This is what resilience looks like.This is what perspective sounds like. And this is what a role model for the next generation looks like. Charlotte Whittaker — this is a really special one.

15 min
13 Apr

C3 with Coach Tracy York

Our guest for Episode 20 is coach Tracy York. We often talk about people who love the game…but every now and then, you meet someone who has truly lived it. From Brighton Baptist Church…to South Adelaide Panthers…to Forestville Eagles… Tracy York’s journey didn’t start with headlines —in her words, she was a “very good average” player. But at 22, she stepped into coaching…and never stepped away. Men. Women. Boys. Girls.Wheelchair. Able-bodied. Every level of the game. But ask her what matters most…and it’s not the resume. It’s the people. Relationships built across years…and across continents. Because through career, motherhood, and cancer —the game was always there.And so were the people in it. In Tracy's words, "You like it. You love it. Or you live it. Tracy York has lived it.

44 min
5 Apr

Tayla Brazel - C3 x Adelaide Lightning 25/26 Season

From Aussie Hoops to the WNBL — but not without its challenges. Proud South Australian and Sturt Sabres junior Tayla Brazel joined me for a game day catch-up. A WNBL Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year nominee and a product of the South Australian high performance pathway, her story is built on resilience. We touch on personal adversity, the people behind the scenes, and the impact of the South Australian Sports Institute and Sturt Sabres Head Coach Tim Short. Now locked in on what’s next — chasing an NBL1 Central Championship with her Sturt Sabres family. Because the game is only part of the story… and the next chapter is hers to write.

8 min
21 Mar

Aja Parham - Ammar - C3 x Adelaide Lightning 25/26 Season

Just four weeks into her interim role this past season, I sat down with newly announced Adelaide Lightning Head Coach, Aja Parham-Ammar. Aja’s journey in the game spans continents, roles, and experiences — from her days as a Boston College athlete, to earning opportunities at Seattle Storm training camp, and building a decorated playing career here in Australia. Her transition from NBL1 player to coach came under the guidance of Australian Basketball Hall of Famer CJ Bruton at the Southern District Spartans, with further encouragement at the Queensland state level from now COE Women’s Head Coach, Mel Downer. Since then, Aja has led the Logan Thunder to the 2025 NBL1 North Championship, coached across both women’s and men’s NBL1 North programs — including becoming one of the few women to lead an NBL1 men’s team — and was recognised as Basketball Queensland’s 2023 Female Coach of the Year. Off the court, she’s a mum to Ziya and Sanaa, wife to Thomas, and the founder of The Sports Mindset, where she’s been helping athletes develop mentally for over 15 years. This is a conversation about resilience, perspective, and the moments that don’t go to plan — but shape everything that comes next. I hope you enjoy this catch-up as much as we did. Below is the link to the interview mentioned in this chat; The Healing Power of Basketball - Lexi Partell & Aja Parham Ammar | NBA INGRAINED EP3 - of a six-part docuseries created by Matthew Adekponya for NBA Australia, aired in 2022.

12 min
28 Feb

C3 with Marial Machar, Rams Sports Group

In this episode, I’m joined by Marial Machar — founder of the Eastside Rams Basketball Club, now Rams Sports Group. What started as a team of friends playing in a local carnival, quickly grew to an interstate road trip and well attended trial saw the Rams grow by 80 literally over night At 18, while studying law, Marial formally founded the Rams — becoming one of South Australia’s youngest CEOs. Today, the organisation supports hundreds of young people, has expanded into Queensland, and operates under a powerful for the youth, by the youth model led by peer educators and lived-experience mentors. In July, the Rams will partner with the Adelaide Junior Basketball League (AJBL) to host the South Sudanese Australian National Basketball Association (SSNBA) Classic at St Clair Recreation Centre — another example of community and culture coming together through the game. Marial is currently overseas as a recipient of the Winston Churchill Fellowship — specifically the Donald Mackay Churchill Fellowship — exploring global responses to antisocial behaviour and gang issues affecting East African youth. I really enjoyed not only hearing more about the beginnings of the Rams but getting to know Marial himself. This impressive young man is different — thoughtful, intentional, and deeply committed to creating opportunity for others. This is a conversation about leadership, purpose, and what can happen when you see a gap and decide to step into it. I hope you enjoy this catch-up as much as we did.

43 min

Trailer

C3 Introduction

Host Kerry Waller introduces the Courtside Coffee Catch-Up Why C3? Courtside - Basketball has been my life Coffee - Is life at this point Catch-Up - I LOVE a chat and connecting Recorded by Seb Griffin Executive Producer Allan ‘Downtown” Browne

S1, E1

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3 min

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Why C3? Courtside - Basketball has been my life Coffee - Is life at this point Catch-Up - I LOVE a chat and connecting The concept is simple, organic and authentic conversations with great people across the sporting landscape.

Creator

Kerry Waller
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

28
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Kerry Waller
Show Website

Courtside Coffee Catch-Up