McLeod and Phoenix gearing up for NBL1 North Finals

As a WNBL Champion, Grand Final MVP and Olympic Bronze Medallist, Kathleen MacLeod knows what it takes to win. 

After not playing basketball for six years, the 34-year-old returned to the sport this year after raising her two children, Jaxon and Carter. 

When joining the Sunshine Coast Phoenix in the new NBL1 North competition, MacLeod didn’t quite know what to expect. 

But now with a full season under her belt, she is ready to take on the next challenge in her ever-evolving career, an elimination final against Mackay. 

“Everyone’s super excited and super happy we made the finals,” MacLeod says. 

“We’re looking forward to getting to Mackay and giving everything we’ve got. 

“It’s going to be a good challenge but one we’re capable of being able to win. 

“The big games are the reason you play.” 

The do-or-die game will feature three champions of the WNBL, with MacLeod joining teammate Rachael McCully and opposition Cayla George on-court on Saturday. 

This is the first year that MacLeod has been able to team up with McCully, after the duo battled it out on opposite teams during their WNBL careers. 

“I really enjoy playing with Rachael McCully,” she says. 

“I think we have a good connection and we help each other out a lot. 

“We have quite a few younger girls in the squad so it’s good for them to see how we train and realise how hard you need to work. 

“They ask questions and we answer them, we’re happy to help them and teach. 

“It’s good for us as well to have younger players around us. 

“It’s nice to play with another great guard.” 

Along with playing alongside McCully, another element MacLeod loves about the Sunshine Coast is the inclusiveness of her family. 

Carter, five, and Jaxon, seven, are their Mum’s biggest supporters and are at every training session and game. 

“They boys really love coming to training and games,” the full-time Mum says. 

“My youngest now wants to play basketball for the Phoenix. 

“He doesn’t want to play for Australia, he just wants to play for the Phoenix and be like Mum.

“My team has really embraced the boys, it feels like they’re a part of the team.”

While one son wants to follow in the footsteps of his mother, the other wants to go down a different sporting road and play soccer, which is something that Macleod is completely okay with. 

“I’m all for the kids doing whatever they want,” she says. 

“They don't have to follow me at all. 

“I just want them to do what makes them happy, if that’s basketball, cool, if it’s another sport, great.”