I coach tweens and teens on simple, age-appropriate mindset skills across a range of team sports, from beginner to national level athletes.
I am passionate about helping young athletes learn skills that will transform their experience of playing sport... more enjoyment, improvement, achieving their goals and longevity in sport.
I have been there on all fronts – an athlete for 19 years, a professional and national representative in basketball; a coach of junior athletes for 20 years and the parent of two very active kids who play sport!
I have a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Psychology from the Australian National University. My experience as a junior and senior elite athlete in high performance settings, combined with my education and extensive experience working with junior athletes, is the foundation of the Sports Mindset Bootcamp.
Hi, I’m EL….
My WHY
I am passionate about helping young athletes experience all that sport has to offer, both now, and in their future.
Why? Because I’ve experienced first-hand the lifelong, positive impact that sport can have on all aspects of life.
I can honestly say that although there have been ups and downs, the benefits that sport has brought to my life over 40 years far outweigh any of the challenges I’ve had – and there have been plenty of those!
I started playing sport at the age of 7. I began Little Athletics, because I loved to run. I’m one of 4 kids and when my 2 older brothers started playing basketball, I tagged along. Soon I started playing, and what started off as the simple enjoyment of playing, turned into a lifelong love of the game.
Everywhere I went I had a ball in my hands, and I probably drove my neighbours crazy shooting on the ring that my Dad made in our backyard until all hours of the night!
My parents weren’t sporty themselves. They actually had no idea about basketball, but they drove me (and my 3 siblings) to trainings and games all over the place. Looking back I realise they were a big part of why I developed such a love of the game – they quietly nurtured this passion I had, without me feeling pressure to play. I was in the driver’s seat of the journey.
I also had incredible junior coaches – volunteers who not only taught me the skills of the game, but helped build my confidence and challenged me to be the best player I could be. When I retired from playing, coaching juniors was a natural progression for me because I was so inspired by my own junior coaches.
As a kid, right throughout my professional career, whenever I played basketball I felt free. I can’t explain it other than, still to this day, sport is my happy place, and I’m a firm believer that sport should be a happy place for all kids when they play.
Early Days…
Transitioning to Elite Levels of Play…
I tried other sports at school, and made a state volleyball team, but basketball remained
my favourite sport as a kid.
My pathway with basketball then went along these lines…
Selected for high performance programs from age 13
Represented my state at National Titles from Under 16 level onwards
Spent 2 years at the Australian Institute of Sport from the age of 15
Represented Australia as a Junior and Senior player
Played 209 games in the Women’s National Basketball League
Won 4 National Championships as part of most successful WNBL team in history -
Canberra
Represented Australia internationally including tournaments and tours of the
United States, Europe and Asia.
What others say…
I coached El for 8 years in the WNBL with the Canberra Capitals, during which time we won 4 Championships out of 5 appearances. El captained our team during her senior playing years.
El's tough mindset set her apart from most. She successfully struck the balance between fierce competitiveness and remarkably calm composure, and embodies all the qualities of a natural leader.
Her teammates were at the centre of her leadership. She epitomised team values and made it her priority to understand and support every member of our squad, build team cohesion and ensure accountability.
She was very perceptive on court and had a great read of the game; could handle adversity; and was known for being cool under pressure. She is widely regarded for her contribution to the Capitals and the integrity with which she carried herself on and off the court.
3 x Olympian - Head Coach Australia 2012 (Bronze), A/Coach 1996 (Silver), 2000 (Silver)
7 x WNBL Championship Winning Head Coach
Former Head Coach, Phoenix Mercury WNBA
Basketball Australia Hall of Fame
Carrie Graf AM
I played against El during my career in the WNBL, and have worked alongside her professionally for over 10 years as a junior coach.
El has been able to successfully draw on her experience as an elite athlete to transition seamlessly into coaching junior players. She is passionate about passing on her knowledge to young players, and takes a holistic approach to their development.
She leads with a deep understanding of young players—what drives them, how to bring out their best, and how to help them take ownership of their own development and goals both on and off the court. She understands the junior experience at every age and stage, and has the ability to see it from the player’s perspective at every level.
Allison Tranquilli OLY
2 x Olympian - 2004 (Silver), 1996 (Bronze)
6 x WNBL All Star 5
254 games for Australia
Basketball Australia Hall of Fame
El has been on my coaching staff for over 10 years coaching high school athletes. El coaches by empowering players to fully engage in their learning journey; build their mindset and enjoy the process of development. She builds a learning-focused environment for players grounded in diligence and a strong work ethic, balanced with genuine care and empathy for her players. El is a progressive coach - continually evolving her coaching methods to meet the needs of today's junior athletes.
Head Coach, Templestowe College Elite Sport Development Program
NBL Coach for 22 years
Head Coach Australia, World Junior Men's Championships (1997) Gold Medal
Former Head Coach, Australian Institute of Sport
