The Overseas Athlete Chris Broadfoot

Hoops Abroad: Surviving and Thriving as a Basketball Coach in Foreign Lands with Travis McAvene



Travis McAvene, a basketball coach with extensive experience overseas, shares his journey in coaching. He has coached in several countries, including the Dominican Republic and Taiwan over a 26-year period.



Travis emphasises the importance of networking and taking risks to progress in the coaching industry. He also discusses the challenges of coaching in foreign countries, such as language barriers and cultural adjustments.



Travis highlights the need for perseverance and sacrifice in pursuing a career in basketball coaching, as the financial rewards may not always be substantial. He encourages players and coaches to be open to opportunities outside of the US and to be willing to adapt to different playing styles and environments.



The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of playing basketball overseas. Coach McAvene emphasises the importance of being aggressive and competitive, as the overseas basketball world is cutthroat and demands high performance. He advises players to educate themselves on the business side of the game and to have a long-term plan for their careers.



Mexico is recommended as a good starting point for players looking to gain experience overseas. Coach McAvene also discusses the significance of finding players who fit his coaching style and have the right attitude and personality to thrive in a foreign country.



Financial education and planning for life after basketball are also highlighted as crucial aspects of the overseas experience.



Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:24 Coaching Opportunities Overseas

08:31 Networking and Taking Risks

12:01 Challenges and Sacrifices in Overseas Coaching

15:18 Language Barriers and Cultural Differences

22:33 Contract Negotiations and Finances

26:21 Being Aggressive and Competitive in Basketball Overseas

28:05 Navigating the Cut-throat World of Coaching and Playing Overseas

34:06 Financial Education and Planning for a Secure Future

In this podcast episode, I interview Cameron, an Australian footballer who has been playing professionally abroad. 

Cameron shares his journey from playing football in Queensland, Australia to becoming a professional athlete in Norway. 

He discusses the challenges and rewards of playing overseas, the structure of football leagues in Norway, and the importance of European football for clubs. 

Cameron also talks about his role as a mentor to younger players, his work-life balance, and his unique challenges when he first arrived in Norway. 

He concludes by offering advice to listeners based on his experiences.

In this episode of the Overseas Athlete Podcast, Alastair, a football manager, shares his unique journey from managing grassroots-level teams to a Premier League Academy team.

Alastair discusses the challenges he faced, such as adapting to a different culture and working with limited resources. Despite these obstacles, he views his time in Cambodia as a valuable learning experience and an opportunity for personal growth. 

Alastair emphasises the importance of hard work, sacrifice, and adaptability in pursuing a career in football management. 

He is now seeking a new opportunity with a club that shares his vision and provides a clear plan for success.

In this podcast episode, Stefan, a professional football player, shares his journey from local teams in Adelaide to professional leagues in Japan with a journey via Europe. 

He discusses the challenges he faced, the importance of resilience, discipline, and self-motivation, and the role of the Australian Institute of Sport in his development. 

Stefan also talks about his transition to living independently, his experiences with contract negotiations, and the intensity of training at a professional level. 

He emphasises the importance of mental health in football and shares his work on the Inner Games Journals, aimed at helping athletes set goals and develop resilience.

In today's episode, I speak with Mathew Stubbs, a golfer on the World Long Drive Tour. 

They discuss Matt's background, how he got into long-drive golf, his training regimen, and his goals in the sport. Matt shares his journey into long-drive golf, his success in amateur events, and his commitment to training. 

He also talks about the importance of recovery in his training and the financial aspects of competing in long-drive golf. Matt emphasises the need to attract sponsors and leverage social media to create multiple streams of revenue. 

He shares his own success in growing his social media presence and securing sponsorship deals while the long-drive Tour goes from strength to strength.

In this podcast episode, I speak to Hilary, the first female player and the first person from outside Australia to be featured on the show. We discuss Hilary's journey from the United States to Australia, her college experience, and the process of transitioning from college to a professional club. 

We also touch on the importance of having an agent and navigating the business side of professional sports. Hilary shares her challenges and successes in Australia, her plans for the future, and the growth of fan attendance in women's sports. 

Overall, it is an insightful conversation about Hilary's unique perspective and experiences in the football world.