As the dust settles after a NBL1 Preliminary Final exit against Bankstown the focus for Mel Downer and the Centre of Excellence women’s program turns to a reset.
As every year demands, the programs are tasked with navigating mid-year intake / graduation periods. And in 2026, this was paired with a FIBA U17 World Cup’s sandwich and Asia Cups currently at play.
For Downer, the challenge of sustaining a healthy and happy roster is a balancing act.
“The objective of the program is long-term development. But part of that development is learning how to win and learning how to play, how to scout and learning how to make in-game adjustments,” says Downer.
“We want to make sure that we're sticking to the objective of the program, which is trying to select the best long-term prospects whilst balancing a functional training environment.”
The reset also brings new faces to the program. One of these new arrivals is U17 Sapphires bronze medallist Jas Jones, a promising talent from Victoria who shifted to Canberra mid-year.
“Jas is a wonderful human. Honestly, she has had one of the most seamless integrations into the program that I've ever seen. She's high IQ and low maintenance and low fuss, but it’s because she's so smart and she's able to pick things up quickly,” says Downer.
“It feels like she’s been in the program for a year already. Her transition as a whole and understanding of what this program demands of you, in terms of school, gym, physio, conditioning as well as playing the game,”
“We can't wait to see her continue to grow and add a year in the gym. When her body adapts and catches her IQ, it's going to be exciting,” added Downer.
Alongside Jones, two others are looking to establish themselves in the Capital with Ella Duroux and Lara Gibben.
“Ella is an exciting prospect out of Queensland North and comes from two parents who played the game at a high level. So, she's got the pedigree. She's got great versatility and just keeps growing,” Downer says.
“Ella started out as a point guard but can now genuinely play anything from one through four. Her versatility is something that's going to be strong for her and it's going to make her an exciting prospect in the future,”
“Lara is just the ultimate competitor. No regard for self-preservation or her body. She puts her body on the line with every possession, every rep, every training session,” added Downer.
“I’m really excited about her potential and her competitiveness amplifying the environment and bringing others up with her.”
Over the last 12 months, one of the most impressive features of the CoE Women’s program has been the buy in, regardless of personnel. A deep run into the NBL1 East playoffs demonstrated a roster that were collectively committed to the process.
It’s an environment designed to accelerate personal development, but importantly; introduce the AUS Basketball and Opals system.
“We’re kind of looking to play a simplified version of what the Opals would in terms of five out positionless, versatile, but also, trying to stay true to positioning athletes and their long-term development,” said Downer.”
“We want to give every athlete the opportunity to be successful in their projected role moving forward, so there’s a balancing act.”
The fruits of program philosophy were evident in the recent Opals vs China series with the debut of graduates Sitaya Fagan and Bonnie Deas.
Ex Coe-sters, Fagan and Deas are about to embark on their second year of US college basketball. The pair didn’t miss a beat when introduced to the Opals framework in July.
“It was so rewarding to see that. There is just validation for us that those two girls were able to step into the Opals program and seamlessly fit in,” Downer says.
“And for Sitaya to come back to the Centre of Excellence as well for a three-week period between college and the Opals, just because she wanted to be prepped and ready is also validation on our program and what we're able to provide.”
The program now enters a reset phase to lighten the load on the athletes before shifting into preparation for pre-season 2027.
