Feature image via: Judd Green
In the past 16 months, Courtney Woods has pulled off an incredible stretch of accolades in basketball.
Starting in 2022, Woods claimed her first title with the Townsville Flames in the NBL1 North, followed by her first WNBL title with the Townsville Fire. In the most recent NBL1 season, she made a homecoming to the Northside Wizards, where she won NBL1 North MVP, the Championship, and Finals MVP.
“I didn’t even realise (all the success she had) until the Northside one,” she said.
“This has been a fair few in a row, and it all started in that first sequence when I decided to stay (in Townsville for 2022 NBL1). I was coming off my second WNBL season, I was doing okay, but I wasn’t playing as much as I wanted to.”
She explained that working with Townsville Fire head coach Shannon Seebohm (and former Townsville Flames coach), the pair decided Woods needed another six months of work to push her game to the next level. This led to her play with the Flames after the WNBL alongside Steph Reid in the 2022 NBL1 North season.
The two led the Flames into the Finals, and with the mid-season addition of Opal Alanna Smith, the Flames conquered the Logan Thunder for the conference title.
“Staying in that off-season and winning that first title with the Townsville Flames I think is what started the whole 16 months,” she said.
“I think how much better I got in that sequence and everything I learnt from Shannon… I don’t really consider those my championships. But when I got to Northside, I brought everything I learned to that program and then was able to do it without Steph and Shannon – which was a whole different experience.
“That Northside championship was really special, it was kind of cool to do one on my own… I can’t explain how much that championship did for my confidence.
After spending many years away from home in Townsville, it may have come as a shock to fans to see Woods leave her home in Brisbane to play in another state for the 2024 season.
She explained her accolades and growth on the court have given her the confidence to take on bigger challenges. Woods said that the Salties’ have created a truly professional environment, and that the program they have created is what suits her progression most.
“Darwin is really trying to translate into a WNBL program,” she said.
“I also just really like the Salties, playing there the past two years, I love playing in front of a lot of people so that’s an easy sell. And I’m excited to try something different, I enjoyed being home but I want to explore new cities and new experiences.”
Above all, Woods said that the reason she keeps coming back to the NBL1 is for the love of the game. She explained that outside of her development on the court, she really enjoys the style of the NBL1.
“The first thing is that I think it’s fun,” she said.
“It’s a really good brand of basketball, I think there’s a bit more freedom in it than WNBL and you are able to work on your development in a lot of different ways. Try new things, play with different people and play under different coaches.”
“It also gives me the opportunity to see new cities, I don’t think I ever would have lived in Darwin if it wasn’t for this program.”
The NBL1 season starts on March 23, see the full fixture here.
Stay up-to-date with all the latest NBL1 signings via the 2024 Roster Tracker here.
