She was born into one of South Australia’s most famous sporting families, but Isobel Borlase is making her own name with her own game.
The 20-year-old Paris Olympian, WNBA draftee and WNBL star is the youngest of three children to former Diamonds netballer Jenny (nee Kennett) and Port Adelaide Magpies champion Darryl.
Jenny was part of three World Cup titles and won gold for Australia at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. One of the SANFL’s finest ever players, Darryl played in four premierships and captained the Magpies.
Now, Borlase, brother James who plays AFL for the Adelaide Crows and sister and Surf Life Saver Ella are forging their own sporting paths.
While she didn’t see them in full flight, Borlase has learnt plenty from her parents about work ethic and determination.
“I never got to see them play. Mum retired to have my sister and Dad finished footy as well around the same time,” she explains.
“Dad likes to talk himself up! Dad says mum was super driven and focused and made lots of sacrifices. She was a shooter, playing goal attack and shooter, and apparently she was super accurate, she had to make shots and that’s what she did.
“Dad was a bit of a field general, consistently found a way to impact the game. He was a midfielder/half forward and was captain of the Magpies and respected by his peers. He always said it took a while to find his feet but once he did he felt comfortable.”
As a busy, active kid, Borlase tried her hand at an array of sports.
Many wondered if she’d follow in her mum’s footsteps.
“I played netball when I was younger and mum coached me and I didn’t like that,” Borlase laughs.
“I think she also appreciates we are not doing the same sport. I’ve got talented parents but I’ve taken my own path in a different sport and there’s no expectation to live up to my mum.”
Like many who have come before or her and will follow her path, teammates were pivotal in Borlase catching the basketball bug.
“I did under-12 state for basketball and made some really good friends. Tayla Brazel was in that team and I made good friends from basketball and I liked the freedom of running around.
“I didn’t dislike any of the other sports I was doing I think I just gradually came to enjoy basketball more and then did it full time once I got to the AIS at about 15-years-old.”
Competitiveness is a family trait and it was on show in the backyard more than anywhere else. Today, table tennis competitions and family surfing trips are on the agenda for the Borlase clan.
“As kids we had our little antics in the backyard and were always competitive,” she explains
“I was James’ little pal, I’d follow him around and kick the footy, play cricket.
“To this day, James doesn’t like losing to me but I think I take it a bit better than him.”
From the basketball court to the footy field and the surf and sand, the Borlase siblings are there cheering on each other.
“I really enjoy it, I like going to watch Ella compete because I love the beach and the surf life saving culture’s really laid back and a good environment,” Borlase says.
“When I go and watch James play footy I enjoy it. It’s fun watching what they do and I really hope James can get a game for Adelaide at the MCG this year so I can go and watch him while I’m playing NBL1 in Melbourne.”
