After 18 years in the Gliders program, Sarah Vinci thought it was time to step away.
Not because she had fallen out of love with basketball, but because somewhere along the way, the sport had become everything.
“It pretty much was my whole life. It felt like it became my whole identity and I didn’t know who I was without basketball,” Vinci said.
Now, after time away from the game, the two-time Paralympian is back with a fresh perspective and a deeper appreciation for what the Gliders program means to her.
This week’s Melbourne selection camp ahead of next month’s Repechage tournament marks another chapter in a journey that first began back in 2006, when Vinci attended her first-ever Gliders camp as a teenager.
Nearly two decades later, the game still holds the same pull.
“I think it just kind of got to the point where mentally, I was exhausted,” Vinci said.
“I wanted to work full-time. I wanted to find myself outside of basketball as well.”
Stepping away allowed Vinci to do exactly that.
She transitioned into full-time work which allowed her to achieve her dream of building her own home.
Away from the daily demands of elite sport, Vinci slowly started creating a life outside basketball.
“I found myself,” she said.
“I haven’t lost the passion.”
Even during retirement, completely walking away from the game never quite happened.
Vinci continued training at WAIS, helping out at sessions and remaining connected to the Perth wheelchair basketball community.
“I don’t even think I did retirement well,” Vinci laughed.
“I was just doing it because I wanted to help out. I wanted to be an extra number.”
Then came the phone call.
Former Gliders Head Coach Craig Campbell reached out to gauge Vinci’s interest in returning to the program after she had been re-categorised and placed on the 3x3 long list.
At first, she wasn’t sure.
“I had to go away and think about it,” Vinci said.
“And then I was like, ‘You know what? What have I got to lose?’ I’ve got everything to gain.”
Her return began earlier this year at the Osaka Cup, where Vinci admitted she initially felt nervous stepping back into the environment.
“Now that I’m here, it feels like I never left,” she said.
The difference this time? Perspective.
“I’ve had comments saying I’m just a different person now. Much more upbeat,” Vinci said.
“I wasn’t done before, but I was tired. It’s hard being a professional athlete and it can be exhausting when it becomes your whole world.”
Now one of the most experienced athletes in camp, Vinci has embraced a new role within the group — mentor, leader and connector between generations.
As the Gliders continue building toward the future, she sees enormous potential in the young talent emerging through the pathway system.
“There’s a lot of natural talent here,” Vinci said.
“We’ve got so many young girls that just want to be good, and they push themselves.”
Vinci lights up when speaking about the next generation of young Gliders, including teenage talents Ebony Stevenson and Talyn Reedy.
“It’s really cool to see the drive in these girls,” she said.
“We need that energy in our team. We need the excitement and we need the fresh eyes.”
And while her role within the program may now look di]erent, her motivation remains simple.
“I know this program can be successful again,” she said.
“If I can contribute my experience to help these girls, then that’s what I want to do.
“I just want to give back to the sport really. It’s brought me so much. It’s family.”
